A scaling theory for homogenization of the Maxwell equations is developed upon the representation of any field as a sum of its dipole, quadrupole, and magnetic dipole moments. This representation is exact and is connected neither with multipole expansion nor with the Helmholtz theorem. A chain of hierarchical equations is derived to calculate the moments. It is shown that the resulting macroscopic fields are governed by the homogenized Maxwell equations. Generally, these fields differ from the mean values of microscopic fields.

• Received 11 December 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.60.987