Abstract
There have been several experiments which hint at evidence for superluminal transport of electromagnetic energy through a material slab. On the theoretical side, it has appeared evident that acausal signals are indeed possible in quantum electrodynamics. However, it is unlikely that superluminal signals can be understood on the basis of a purely classical electrodynamic signals passing through a material. The classical and quantum theories represent quite different views, and it is the quantum view which may lead to violations of Einstein causality.
Keywords
electromagnetic energy, superluminal signals, quantum physics
Subject Categories
Causality (Physics), Electromagnetic waves
Disciplines
Physics
Publication Date
1999
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
Kidambi, V. and Widom, A., "Causality and electromagnetic transmissions through materials" (1999). Physics Faculty Publications. Paper 50. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20000403
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Notes
Originally posted at http://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/9802069v2. Preprint of an article published in Physics Letters A, v.253, no.3-4, 1999.