Causality and Electromagnetic Transmissions Through Materials

Abstract

There have been several experiments which hint at evidence for superluminal transport of electromagnetic energy through a material slab. On the theoretical side, it has appeared evident that acausal signals are indeed possible in quantum electrodynamics. However, it is unlikely that superluminal signals can be understood on the basis of a purely classical electrodynamic signals passing through a material. The classical and quantum theories represent quite different views, and it is the quantum view which may lead to violations of Einstein causality.