Phenomenological quantum electrodynamics of anisotropic media

Abstract

The phenomenological quantum theory of the electromagnetic field in anisotropic dielectrica is presented. The Hamiltonian of the field is diagonalized. and its quanta are interpreted as photons polarized in directions corresponding to the classical directions of polarization. Using Abraham’s expression we find that the momentum operator cannot be diagonalized simultaneously, thus photons are considered as “quasi-particles” the momenta of which are given as mean values. Nevertheless, these photons are shown to exhibit particle properties in contrast to Minkowski’s description, in which case, however, the energy and the momentum can be diagonalized simultaneously.