Abstract
It is shown that, in nonlinear electrodynamics of macroscopically homogeneous anisotropic dielectrics, there exists a conserved vector quantity which has the physical meaning of quasimomentum. Its density is expressed in terms of the field variables as ( 1 4 π)D × B . If electromagnetic excitations are coupled to elastic excitations the sum of their quasimomenta is conserved. The connection of the conservation law, via Noether's theorem, with invariance properties of homogeneous media is indicated. As an example of where the concept of quasimomentum proves to be useful the well-known radioelectric effect is considered: When an electromagnetic wave propagates in a semiconductor or a semimetal, in the process of its absorption its quasimomentum is transferred to the electrons and a dc voltage is built up. Based on quasimomentum conservation, a formula for this voltage in terms of the intensity of the wave is given. Further examples of application are mentioned.
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