On diffraction within a dielectric medium as an example of the Minkowski formulation of optical momentum.

The Abraham-Minkowski dilemma relates to the disputed value of the optical momentum within a dielectric medium and whether the free-space value should be divided (Abraham) or multiplied (Minkowski) by the refractive index. Although undoubtedly simplistic, these two approaches provide intuitive insight to many subtle problems in optical physics. This paper reviews a modified version of the Einstein box argument that supports an Abraham formulation, then considers diffraction within a dielectric medium and shows it supports a simple Minkowski formulation, i.e. that the optical momentum should be multiplied by the refractive index. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America