Can a photon of light become a radio wave?

[nick978]

Is there a way to change a photon of visible light to a radio wave? I know scattering and doppler effect can reduce frequency but is it possible to reduce the frequency enough to get in the radio wave range?

 

[russ_watters]

Wlecome to PF!

Is there a way to change a photon of visible light to a radio wave? I know scattering and doppler effect can reduce frequency but is it possible to reduce the frequency enough to get in the radio wave range?

Sure! That's what this is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_microwave_background

 

[nick978]

Good answer. My question is more about if there is a way that we can manipulate light to create radio waves easily. In the sense of taking sunlight, using some science magic and creating radio waves. Or alternatively, using the energy from the sun to create radio waves (through any means)

 

[anorlunda]

You can use a solar panel to power a radio transmitter.

 

[jtbell]

Or use a single-photon detector to trigger a radio transmitter to send a short pulse.

 

[theodoros.mihos]

I think that energy differs too much for directly transformation. May you can look on laser practices. On pumping phase we use exited energy levels so a high energy photon can absorbed and a less energy photon can emitted.