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Classical gravity does not refract negatively.

Martin W McCall1

  • 1Department of Physics, The Blackett Laboratory Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.

Physical Review Letters
|March 16, 2007
PubMed
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Classical gravitation does not cause negative refraction in vacuum. A new definition shows electromagnetic waves in vacuum propagate with power flux in the direction of phase advance, contrary to prior claims.

Area of Science:

  • Physics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Gravitation

Background:

  • Recent claims suggest classical gravitation induces negative refraction of electromagnetic radiation in vacuum.
  • Previous literature used a criterion for negative refraction that is now under scrutiny.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To appraise claims of gravitation-induced negative refraction in vacuum.
  • To establish a covariantly acceptable definition for negative refraction in vacuum.

Main Methods:

  • Recasting previous literature in covariant notation.
  • Applying a covariantly acceptable definition of negative refraction.

Main Results:

  • The hitherto used criterion for negative refraction in vacuum is inappropriate.

Related Experiment Videos

  • This criterion can be satisfied by parametrized transformations in Minkowski spacetime.
  • In classical vacuum, electromagnetic wave power flux points in the direction of phase advance.

    • Conclusions:

    • Classical gravitation does not induce negative refraction in vacuum.
    • The direction of power flux for electromagnetic waves in vacuum is confirmed to align with phase advance.