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arXiv · 1705.11004

Why history matters: ab initio rederivation of Fresnel equations confirms microscopic theory of refractive index

R. Starke·G. A. H. Schober
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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.

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R. Starke, G. A. H. Schober. 2017-05-31. Why history matters: ab initio rederivation of Fresnel equations confirms microscopic theory of refractive index. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2017.11.026

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