The polychromatic T-matrix

Abstract

The T-matrix is a powerful tool that provides the complete description of the linear interaction between the electromagnetic field and a given object. In here, we generalize the usual monochromatic formalism to the case of polychromatic field-matter interaction. The group of transformations of special relativity provides the guidance for building the new formalism, which is inherently polychromatic. The polychromatic T-matrix affords the direct treatment of the interaction of electromagnetic pulses with objects, even when the objects move at constant relativistic speeds.