Quantum Fields in a Dielectric: Langevin and Exact Diagonalization Approaches
Quantum Physics
2009-12-03 v1
Abstract
We derive expressions for the quantum electromagnetic field in a dispersive and dissipative dielectric medium, treating the medium as a continuum. We compare the Langevin approach with the Fano diagonalization procedure for the coupled system composed of the electromagnetic field, the dielectric medium, and the reservoir. In particular, we show that the quantized electric and magnetic fields obtained in both methods have exactly the same form. More generally, in thermal equilibrium, correlation functions computed in both methods are identical.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0912.0279,
title = {Quantum Fields in a Dielectric: Langevin and Exact Diagonalization Approaches},
author = {F. S. S. Rosa and D. A. R. Dalvit and P. W. Milonni},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0912.0279},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Book chapter for Festschrift of Prof. Erber, submitted to Illinois Institute of Technology Press