Note on the Theory of Optical Activity

Abstract

It has been generally assumed that no simple explanation of natural optical activity can be given from the standpoint of classical dispersion theory. The present paper shows that two possibilities have been overlooked. Either one class of electrons may be spinning, in which case they set themselves with their axes parallel to the direction of propagation of the light wave and are acted on by the magnetic as well as by the electric intensity of the light wave. Or there may be a product term in the expression for the potential energy of the electron.