Abstract: The photon is an elementary particle characterized by its frequency and polarization. The photon displays both wave-like and particle-like behavior. A photon is the unit intensity of the electro-magnetic field. Once created, a photon is characterized by its energy $$ (E = hf) $$ which remains unchanged until the photon is destroyed. Maxwell’s equations describe the electromagnetic fields in the classical regime, including propagation of photon beams as a function of frequency and polarization. Maxwell’s equations represent a staggering accomplishment in physical theory, but they do not give a complete description of photon behavior. Two photons with the same quantum numbers (that is the same frequency and polarization) can (unlike electrons) occupy the same place at the same time. The probability that an energy state is occupied by a photon is given by the Bose-Einstein distribution. A single photon is an indivisible elementary particle. Single photons can be produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. This is an optical process that cannot by described using Maxwell’s equations. When a single photon is incident upon a beamsplitter, its wavefunction is separated spatially into two parts, corresponding to reflection and transmission. When a measurement is made, the entire photon will be detected either as 100% transmitted or 100% reflected. This result is an example of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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