Electromagnetic stress-energy-momentum tensor and its applications in electrodynamics of moving media

The controversial issue of whether Minkowski's tensor or Abraham's tensor is the appropriate electromagnetic stress-energy-momentum tensor form in ponderable media is investigated. Various aspects of differences between the two tensors are discussed. As far as experiments are concerned, the predictions of Minkowski's tensor are consistent with experiments, but Abraham's tensor fails in some experiments. The problem of reflection and transmission by a moving dielectric medium offers a good example for illustrating the applications of the electromagnetic stress-energy-momentum tensor. It is shown by the use of the stationary phase method that Minkowski's tensor is the appropriate electromagnetic stress-energy-momentum tensor.