Static E field and refraction?

The boundary conditions on a dielectric interface indicate the E field inside one dielectric is in a different direction from the E field outside the dielectric. I know with propagating waves, light refracts due to these boundary conditions but this is a dynamic situation where the changing E field alters direction and therefore launches a changing H field inside the other dielectric in a different direction, causing the light to change direction.

The static case is bothering me. The dielectric polarizes in the direction of an externally applied field.

Question

Static E field and refraction?

The boundary conditions on a dielectric interface indicate the E field inside one dielectric is in a different direction from the E field outside the dielectric.  I know with propagating waves, light refracts due to these boundary conditions but this is a dynamic situation where the changing E field alters direction and therefore launches a changing H field inside the other dielectric in a different direction, causing the light to change direction.

The static case is bothering me.  The dielectric polarizes in the direction of an externally applied field.

anonymous · Answer

which seems to suggest the externally applied E field lines appear to pass straight through a dielectric as if it wasn't there.  Inside the dielectric, the total field due to E external and P would have a different direction along the path followed by the external E field.  Is this correct?

What it maybe boils down to is this.  The lecture series showed a great example of a dielectric slab placed inside a parallel plate capacitor.  This slab was parallel to the plates.  If I shaped the slab into a lens, could I focus the E field lines generated by the plates to a point, strengthening the field there?  I think I can if the static E field refracts at a dielectric boundary.