Electromagnetic properties of viscous charged fluids

Understand

We provide a general theoretical framework to describe the electromagnetic properties of viscous charged fluids, consisting for example of electrons in certain solids or plasmas.

• We confirm that finite viscosity leads to multiple modes of evanescent electromagnetic waves at a given frequency, one of which is characterized by a negative index of refraction, as previously discussed in a simplified model by one of the authors.
• In particular we explain how optical spectroscopy can be used to probe the viscosity.
• We concentrate on the impact of this on the coefficients of refraction and reflection at the sample-vacuum interface.