- #1
Haorong Wu
- 413
- 89
- TL;DR Summary
- Can atoms absorb photons with energy higher than transition energy?
Suppose a atom has two energy levels ##\hbar \omega _ a##, and ##\hbar \omega _b##, and let ##\hbar \omega _0 =\hbar \omega _b -\hbar \omega _a ##. Also, there is a phton with enerigy of ##\hbar \omega##.
If ##\hbar \omega =\hbar \omega _0##, then a atom in level ##\hbar \omega _ a## can absorb this photon and jump into level ##\hbar \omega _b##.
What if ##\hbar \omega =\hbar \omega _0 + \epsilon##, where ##\epsilon \gt 0## ? Where would the additional energy ##\epsilon## be?
Would it become part of the energy of the atom which has just absorbed the photon, or would it become a new photon with energy ##\hbar \omega '= \epsilon##?
If ##\hbar \omega =\hbar \omega _0##, then a atom in level ##\hbar \omega _ a## can absorb this photon and jump into level ##\hbar \omega _b##.
What if ##\hbar \omega =\hbar \omega _0 + \epsilon##, where ##\epsilon \gt 0## ? Where would the additional energy ##\epsilon## be?
Would it become part of the energy of the atom which has just absorbed the photon, or would it become a new photon with energy ##\hbar \omega '= \epsilon##?