View Full Version : storing photons
argonurbawono
Jul5-06, 02:58 AM
is it theoretically possible to store photons?
maybe just for a few microseconds to begin with?
with some kind of "container" where the photon bouncing about inside. in the case of visible light maybe a container with a perfect mirror inside it?
Yes. In practice though, resonant cavities aren't "perfect", there's a significant amplitude for the photon escaping. Nonetheless it's still good enough to do some kinds of experiments.
See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_microcavity
Recent research shows promise in temporarily trapping light in crystals. Trapping light is seen as a necessary element in replacing electron storage for computer logic.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photonic_computing
In addition to that, the experiments by Lena Hau's group at Harvard in stopping light is also a form of "light storage".
http://physicsweb.org/articles/news/5/1/9
Zz.
mohan_3749
Jul19-06, 12:06 AM
If your purpose is just to store the ENERGY of photon, then u could use a solar panel and collect the photons's light and store it in a battery. And when u want the energy again u power a matched lamp using the battery.
This won't work if u are trapping your photons and keeping them preserved.
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