{
  "id": "1301.4178",
  "version": "v1",
  "published": "2013-01-17T18:14:15.000Z",
  "updated": "2013-01-17T18:14:15.000Z",
  "title": "Motion of macroscopic bodies in the electromagnetic field",
  "authors": [
    "S. A. R. Horsley"
  ],
  "comment": "15 pages, 2 figures",
  "categories": [
    "quant-ph",
    "physics.optics"
  ],
  "abstract": "A theory is presented for calculating the effect of the electromagnetic field on the centre of mass of a macroscopic dielectric body that is valid in both quantum and classical regimes. We apply the theory to find the classical equation of motion for the centre of mass of a macroscopic object in a classical field, and the spreading of an initially localized wave-packet representing the centre of mass of a small object, in a quantum field. The classical force is found to be consistent with the identification of the Abraham momentum with the mechanical momentum of light, and the motion of the wave-packet is found to be subject to an acceleration due to the Casimir force, and a time dependent fluctuating motion due the creation of pairs of excitations within the object. The theory is valid for any dielectric that has susceptibilities satisfying the Kramers-Kronig relations, and is not subject to arguments regarding the form of the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor within a medium.",
  "revisions": [
    {
      "version": "v1",
      "updated": "2013-01-17T18:14:15.000Z"
    }
  ],
  "analyses": {
    "keywords": [
      "electromagnetic field",
      "macroscopic bodies",
      "electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor",
      "macroscopic dielectric body",
      "time dependent fluctuating motion"
    ],
    "note": {
      "typesetting": "TeX",
      "pages": 15,
      "language": "en",
      "license": "arXiv",
      "status": "editable",
      "adsabs": "2013arXiv1301.4178H"
    }
  }
}