Mysteries of the Photon: Lamb Shift

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In summary, the conversation discusses an interesting statement about the behavior of photons and virtual particles in relation to quantum mechanics. This led to the discovery of the Lamb shift, which was eventually awarded a Nobel Prize. It is also mentioned that Willis Lamb later questioned the existence of photons. There is interest in reading his article on the topic.
  • #1
pallidin
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I found this statement interesting:

"Every photon will spend some time as a virtual electron plus its antiparticle, the virtual positron, since this is allowed by quantum mechanics as described above. The hydrogen atom has two energy levels that coincidentally seem to have the same energy. But when the atom is in one of those levels it interacts differently with the virtual electron and positron than when it is in the other, so their energies are shifted a tiny bit because of those interactions. That shift was measured by Willis Lamb and the Lamb shift was born, for which a Nobel Prize was eventually awarded"

Source: http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?chanID=sa005&articleID=0004D0F8-772A-1526-B72A83414B7F0000&topicID=13
 
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  • #2
pallidin said:
I found this statement interesting:

"Every photon will spend some time as a virtual electron plus its antiparticle, the virtual positron, since this is allowed by quantum mechanics as described above. The hydrogen atom has two energy levels that coincidentally seem to have the same energy. But when the atom is in one of those levels it interacts differently with the virtual electron and positron than when it is in the other, so their energies are shifted a tiny bit because of those interactions. That shift was measured by Willis Lamb and the Lamb shift was born, for which a Nobel Prize was eventually awarded"

Source: http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?chanID=sa005&articleID=0004D0F8-772A-1526-B72A83414B7F0000&topicID=13

Interesting fact: It was Willis Lamb himself who later came to the opinion that there are no such things as photons. I can temporarily make his article on this available of the web if there is some interest in reading it.

Best wishes

Pet
 
  • #3
pmb_phy said:
Interesting fact: It was Willis Lamb himself who later came to the opinion that there are no such things as photons. I can temporarily make his article on this available of the web if there is some interest in reading it.

Best wishes

Pet
I would certainly like to read Lamb's article, if you can supply it. In the meantime, I'll look for links in hope of uncovering more.
 

1. What is the Lamb Shift?

The Lamb Shift is a small difference in the energy levels of an atom's electrons that was first observed in the 1940s by physicists Willis Lamb and Robert Retherford. It is caused by the interaction between an electron and the zero-point energy of the vacuum.

2. How does the Lamb Shift affect an atom's energy levels?

The Lamb Shift causes an atom's energy levels to split into two slightly different levels, known as the fine structure of the energy levels. This splitting is too small to be observed without very precise measurements, but it has important implications for our understanding of quantum mechanics.

3. Why is the Lamb Shift important in physics?

The Lamb Shift is important because it provides evidence for the existence of the zero-point energy of the vacuum, which is a fundamental concept in quantum field theory. It also helps to explain discrepancies between theoretical predictions and experimental measurements, leading to a deeper understanding of the behavior of atoms.

4. How is the Lamb Shift measured?

The Lamb Shift is typically measured using spectroscopy, which involves shining light of various wavelengths onto an atom and measuring the specific wavelengths at which the atom absorbs or emits light. By carefully analyzing the fine structure of these absorption or emission lines, scientists can determine the Lamb Shift.

5. Can the Lamb Shift be applied to other particles besides photons?

Yes, the Lamb Shift phenomenon can also occur in other particles, such as electrons and protons. In fact, the Lamb Shift of the electron was observed before that of photons, providing further evidence for the existence of the zero-point energy of the vacuum. This phenomenon is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics and can be applied to a variety of particles and systems.

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