Quantum field theory of optical birefringence phenomena I. Linear and nonlinear optical rotation

Abstract

A general approach to the discussion of optical birefringence phenomena is presented. It is based on the S-matrix approach to photon scattering in a nonrelativistic quantum field theoretical formalism and the Stokes operator description of polarization. The use of a canonically transformed interaction Hamiltonian in combination with diagrammatic perturbation theory enables the response of a system to electromagnetic radiation to be calculated in a straightforward and consistent manner to any order in the perturbation, and the effect of static fields is included easily. As an illustration, the angle of rotation of a beam of planepolarized light by a solution of optically active molecules is calculated and the intensity dependence of the angle determined. The latter phenomenon should become apparent at high photon flux densities particularly when $\omega$, the frequency of the incident light, or 2$\omega$ are similar to electronic excitation frequencies in the optically active molecules.