Linear media in classical electrodynamics and the Post constraint

2004/11/03 by Friedrich W. Hehl, Yuri N. Obukhov · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #physics.class-ph #cond-mat.mtrl-sci #gr-qc #physics.gen-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.physleta.2004.11.038

published as Phys.Lett. A334 (2005) 249-259 · 15 pages, latex

arxiv created 2004/11/03 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01

Abstract

The Maxwell equations are formulated in a generally covariant and metric-free way in 1+3 and subsequently in 4 dimensions. For this purpose, we use the excitations \cal D, \cal H and the field strengths E,B. A local and linear constitutive law between excitations and field strengths is assumed, with a constitutive tensor χ^ijkl=-χ^jikl=-χ^ijlk of 36 components. The properties of this tensor are discussed. In particular, we address the validity of the Post constraint, a subject that is very much under discussion. In this connection, the Tellegen gyrator, the axion field, and the ``perfect electromagnetic conductor'' of Lindell & Sihvola are compared with each other.

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