Photon Propagation Through Dispersive Media

Abstract

In the present chapter, we study the propagation of photons through dispersive media, starting from a description of the dynamics of free photons using a Dirac-like equation with an analysis of the energy solutions arising from this equation. A comparison with the case of a free electron is made. We present an analysis of the interaction between photons with the medium considering both a classical and a quantum treatment of light, and also we analyse the propagation of photons along a waveguide where they behave as if they did have a finite mass. As a technological application of the theoretical frame here presented, we consider the use of the properties of metamaterials to control the propagation of waves through waveguides filled with this kind of materials.

On the Interaction of Massive Photons and Mechanical Oscillators in Cavity Optomechanics: Basic Model and Quantization

“…[83][84][85][86][87] In the context of dispersive materials, photons can exhibit effective mass due to their interaction with the medium. [88,89] This phenomenon is known as the photonic mass or effective mass of photons. [90] This effect is a result of the modification of the dispersion relation of photons in the medium.…”