Recent content by invisigo

Wow, I was about to ask the same question. So it's not a stupid question. I don't think the answer is that available. If I may repeat the question, there seems to be two theories for photon generation that mgd2009 and myself can't seem to resolve. The first is this atomic transition...

If the excess energy can go into something else, like molecular vibrations, then it is possible that it could get absorbed. This would be the idea behind fluorescence, Raman scattering, Stokes and anti-Stokes shifts.

I have a mental picture of photon scattering that goes like this: An atom spontaneously emits a single photon (or particle). Since the photon hasn't been observed, its wavefunction and probability expands out like a sphere. If I take my photodetector and place it at some point on this...

I believe you are confusing yourself by mixing classical and quantum optics. Hecht's description uses classical optics, in which the atoms are dipoles and photons are EM waves that excite them. However, you cannot bring in the idea of "energy level" into this picture of light-matter...

Ah! Yes, thank you for the clear explanation! I never thought to think of shielding as a waveguide, but it makes perfect sense now! I am indebted to you for this insight.

The idea I'm more confused about is the relationship between wavelength and the grid hole size. One idea I just thought about is maybe it has to do with the minimum spot size of the radiation. If this is the case, then the rule of thumb for hole size does not hold exactly. I can get a beam...

In the classical picture of an electromagnetic wave, the wavelength is specified along the direction of travel. However, with EM shielding that is using a grid (microwave, chicken wire), I've heard that so long as the spaces are less than the wavelength, you will achieve electromagnetic...

Let me try an explanation. Different types of radiation interact with matter in different ways. Radiation will only interact with matter that has energy transitions equal to the energy of the radiation. The energy of radiation is proportional to frequency. If there is no available energy...

I would imagine the Nernst equation loses accuracy at low ion concentrations. The physics would change and the equation would no longer be correct. Wiki (not the most authoritative source, I realize) seems to agree: At very low concentrations of the potential determining ions, the...

If you are using a white light interferometer, you should be measuring the group delay without any adjustment to your setup. Phase delay only applies to a single wavelength light source, and you have a multiple wavelength (broadband) light source. When you take your measurement, you will be...