The quantum theory of dispersion in metallic conductors

Abstract 1. Formulation of the problem. - The propagation of electromagnetic waves in a homogeneous isotropic medium showing metallic conductivity has been treated phenomenologically on the basis of classical electrodynamics. If in Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field curl E = - 1/c ∂B/∂t, curl H = 1/c (∂D/∂t + 4πI), div D = 4πρ, div B = 0, we assume that D = εE, B = μH, I = σE, (1) where e is the dielectric constant, u the permeability and q the electrical conductivity, we get curl E = -μ/c ∂H/∂t, curl H = 1/c (ε ∂E/∂t 4πσE), div E = 4πρ/ε. div H =0.