Electromagnetic Stress Tensor in Ponderable Media

Abstract

We derive an expression for the Maxwell stress tensor in a magnetic dielectric medium specified by its permittivity "epsilon" and permeability "mu." The derivation proceeds from the generalized form of the Lorentz law, which specifies the force exerted by the electromagnetic E and H fields on the polarization P and magnetization M of ponderable media. Our stress tensor differs from the well-known tensors of Abraham and Minkowski, which have been at the center of a century-old controversy surrounding the momentum of the electromagnetic field in transparent materials.

6 pages, 3 figures, 18 equations, 6 references

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