Why history matters: ab initio rederivation of Fresnel equations confirms microscopic theory of refractive index
arXiv:1705.11004 · doi:10.1016/j.ijleo.2017.11.026
Abstract
We provide a systematic theoretical, experimental, and historical critique of the standard derivation of Fresnel's equations, which shows in particular that these well-established equations actually contradict the traditional, macroscopic approach to electrodynamics in media. Subsequently, we give a rederivation of Fresnel's equations which is exclusively based on the microscopic Maxwell equations and hence in accordance with modern first-principles materials physics. In particular, as a main outcome of this analysis being of a more general interest, we propose the most general boundary conditions on electric and magnetic fields which are valid on the microscopic level.
arXiv commentconsistent with published version in Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics (2018)
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