Abstract: Chambers' expression for the current density in a normal metal in which the electric field varies over a mean free path is derived from a quantum approach in which use is made of the density matrix in the presence of scattering centers but in the absence of the field. An approximate expression used for the latter is shown to reduce to one derived by Kohn and Luttinger for the case of weak scattering. A general space-and time-varying electromagnetic interaction is treated by first-order perturbation theory. The method is applied to superconductors, and a general expression derived for the kernel of the Pippard integral for fields of arbitrary frequency. The expressions derived can also be used to discuss absorption of electromagnetic radiation in thin superconducting films.

Abstract: Interference effects produced by the superposition of the light beams from two independent single-mode lasers have been investigated experimentally. It is found that interference takes place even under conditions in which the light intensities are so low that, with high probability, one photon is absorbed before the next one is emitted by one or the other source. Since the average number of registered photons per trial was only about 10, photon correlation techniques were required to demonstrate the interference. The interpretation of the experiment, and the question whether it demonstrates interference between two photons, are discussed.