What happens to the amplitude of a photon in the double slit experiment?

In summary, the amplitude of a photon is not divided when it passes through a double slit or a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. However, in the double slit experiment, the distribution of the photon's position on the screen is affected, resulting in a diffraction pattern. This is due to the nature of quantum theory and the fact that a single photon cannot be divided.
  • #1
San K
911
1
the amplitude of a photon gets divided when it goes through a double slit or through a mach-zender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach%E2%80%93Zehnder_interferometer

what is amplitude of a photon? is it simply related to probability or is it, in any way, to the EM fields?

what gets divided?..when a photon passes through the double slit

we know that the photon is the smallest quanta of energy and cannot be divided
 
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  • #2
A single photon doesn't get divided. In the double slit experiment it will hit the screen in one spot. Quantum theory gives us the distribution of spots when many photons are used (even one at a time) - diffraction pattern.
 

1. What is the amplitude of a photon?

The amplitude of a photon refers to the strength or magnitude of its electric and magnetic fields, which are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the photon's propagation.

2. How is the amplitude of a photon related to its energy?

The amplitude of a photon is directly proportional to its energy. This means that photons with higher frequencies (and therefore higher energies) have larger amplitudes.

3. Can the amplitude of a photon be measured?

No, the amplitude of a photon cannot be directly measured. This is because the Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle (such as a photon) at the same time. Therefore, the amplitude of a photon can only be inferred through other measurements, such as its energy or wavelength.

4. How does the amplitude of a photon affect its behavior?

The amplitude of a photon affects its behavior in several ways. Firstly, it determines the intensity or brightness of light, as the number of photons with a certain amplitude passing through a point per unit time is what we perceive as brightness. Additionally, the amplitude also affects the probability of a photon being absorbed or scattered by matter.

5. Can the amplitude of a photon change?

Yes, the amplitude of a photon can change. This can happen through various processes such as absorption, emission, and scattering. In these processes, the energy of the photon can be transferred to other particles, causing its amplitude to change. However, the total energy of the photon remains the same.

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