U2 = T{ 1 + κn − αn2}
ρ T + (κn − αn2 l/a)

(26)

for the vibration of helical nature like circular polarization.

Changing the sign of n for circular polarization in the opposite direction

U′2 = T{ 1 − κn + αn2}
ρ T − (κn + αn2 l/a)

(27)

In this way a mechanical model is obtained of the action of a magnetized medium on polarized light, κ representing the equivalent of the magnetic field, while α may be ignored as insensible (J. Larmor, Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., 1890; Aether and Matter, Appendix E).

We notice that U2 in (26) can be positive, and the gyrostatic chain stable, even when T is negative, and the chain is supporting a thrust, provided κn is large enough, and the thrust does not exceed

(κn − an2) (1 + l/a);

(28)