Lagrangian formalism and conservation laws for electrodynamics in nonlinear elastic dielectrics

Journal Article · Sun Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Annals of Physics (New York); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(92)90324-F· OSTI ID:6655527

Schoeller, H; Thellung, A ^[1]

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1. Universitaet Zuerich (Switzerland)

For the continuum theory of electromagnetic fields in interaction with an elastic dielectric medium a new Lagrangian formalism is developed. The medium may be arbitrarily nonlinear and anisotropic, but in order to have conservation of quasimomentum it has to be homogeneous. For simplicity, the frequencies of the excitations are assumed to be such that dispersion can be neglected, but it is indicated how it can be taken into account. Directly from the Lagrangian equations of motion and alternatively by means of Noether's theorem the general conservation laws for energy, momentum, and quasimomentum are derived. They are formulated in both local (Eulerian) and material (Lagrangian) coordinate systems. Special attention is given to quasimomentum. 22 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6655527
• Journal Information: Annals of Physics (New York); (United States), Journal Name: Annals of Physics (New York); (United States) Vol. 220:1; ISSN APNYA6; ISSN 0003-4916
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661100* -- Classical & Quantum Mechanics-- (1992-)
661300 -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
CONSERVATION LAWS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
LAGRANGE EQUATIONS
MATERIALS
MATRICES
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS