Surface polaritons on metallic and semiconducting cylinders: A complex angular momentum analysis

We revisit scattering of electromagnetic waves from metallic and semiconducting cylinders in the framework of complex angular momentum techniques. We prove that "resonant surface polariton modes" are generated by a unique surface wave, i.e. a surface polariton, propagating close to the cylinder surface. This surface polariton corresponds to a particular Regge pole of the $S$-matrix of the cylinder. From the associated Regge trajectory we can construct semiclassically the spectrum of the complex frequencies of the resonant surface polariton modes which can be considered as Breit-Wigner-type resonances. Furthermore, by taking into account Stokes' phenomenon, we derive an asymptotic expression for the position in the complex angular momentum plane of the surface polariton Regge pole. We then describe semiclassically the surface polariton and provide analytical expressions for its the dispersion relation and its damping. All these features allow us to consider the photon-cylinder system as a kind of artificial atom where the photon plays the role of the electron. Finally, we briefly discuss the implication of our results for two-dimensional photonic crystals

Scaling Symmetries of Scatterers of Classical Zero-Point Radiation

Classical radiation equilibrium (the blackbody problem) is investigated by the use of an analogy. Scaling symmetries are noted for systems of classical charged particles moving in circular orbits in central potentials V(r)=-k/r^n when the particles are held in uniform circular motion against radiative collapse by a circularly polarized incident plane wave. Only in the case of a Coulomb potential n=1 with fixed charge e is there a unique scale-invariant spectrum of radiation versus frequency (analogous to zero-point radiation) obtained from the stable scattering arrangement. These results suggest that non-electromagnetic potentials are not appropriate for discussions of classical radiation equilibrium.Comment: 13 page

Blackbody Radiation and the Scaling Symmetry of Relativistic Classical Electron Theory with Classical Electromagnetic Zero-Point Radiation

It is pointed out that relativistic classical electron theory with classical electromagnetic zero-point radiation has a scaling symmetry which is suitable for understanding the equilibrium behavior of classical thermal radiation at a spectrum other than the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum. In relativistic classical electron theory, the masses of the particles are the only scale-giving parameters associated with mechanics while the action-angle variables are scale invariant. The theory thus separates the interaction of the action variables of matter and radiation from the scale-giving parameters. Classical zero-point radiation is invariant under scattering by the charged particles of relativistic classical electron theory. The basic ideas of the matter -radiation interaction are illustrated in a simple relativistic classical electromagnetic example.Comment: 18 page