The European Physical Journal D
The geometric phase in photon systems
J. Lu
Abstract
By using the Maxwell equations in a Schrödinger-like form, the geometric phase in photon systems is calculated. This approach provides a unified way to discuss geometric phases in both photon (massless) and other massive particle systems. The concept of parameter space is not introduced in our discussion. So all complications caused by it can be avoided. In principle, this approach can used to calculate the geometric phase in any cyclic evolution of photon systems.