Quantum electrodynamics of optical activity in birefringent crystals

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.5.001453· OSTI ID:6965002

Eimerl, D

Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is applied for the first reported time to optical rotation in birefringent crystals. Using a modification of QED appropriate to anisotropic crystals together with general space--time symmetries, we derive the optical-rotation component of the photon propagator. We also derive a low-frequency theorem for the optical-rotation tensors that is valid to all orders in perturbation theory. We prove that optical activity depends in a nonlinear manner on the direction of propagation and is approximately proportional to the optical frequency. Earlier theories of optical rotation, which are primarily phenomenological, are either inconsistent with QED or are developed only for isotropic crystals. The relation among the QED predictions, the constitutive equations, and earlier approaches is fully discussed.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 5508, L-490, Livermore, California 94550
• OSTI ID: 6965002
• Journal Information: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B: Opt. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 5:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CRYSTALS
OPTICAL ACTIVITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTICS
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
BIREFRINGENCE
POLARIZATION
ELECTRODYNAMICS
FIELD THEORIES
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
REFRACTION
657002* - Theoretical & Mathematical Physics- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
657000 - Theoretical & Mathematical Physics