Can Photons Undergo Einstein-Bose Condensation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the possibility of Einstein-Bose condensation occurring in photons, exploring the nature of such a state and its implications for the wave properties of photons. The conversation touches on theoretical aspects, comparisons with matter BECs, and examples of BECs found in nature.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether Einstein-Bose condensation can occur in photons and seeks to understand the characteristics of this potential new state.
  • Another participant argues that while lasers exhibit coherent quantum light, calling them a condensate is debatable due to the lack of photon number conservation and their status as out-of-equilibrium systems, contrasting them with thermodynamically stable phases of matter BECs.
  • A participant expresses understanding of what constitutes a condensate.
  • Multiple requests are made for examples of Bose-Einstein condensates found in nature.
  • A later reply notes that the thread is two years old, which may imply a lack of recent developments on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether photons can undergo Einstein-Bose condensation, and there are competing views regarding the nature of lasers in relation to BECs.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the assumptions regarding the definitions of condensates or the implications of photon behavior in relation to BECs.

cragar
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Can Einstein-Bose condensation occur in photons and if so what is this new state like for the photon , how are its wave properties?
 
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Lasers are decent examples of macroscopically coherent quantum light. Whether you want to call it a condensate is a bit debatable, since there is no conservation of photon number in a laser. Lasers are driven out-of-equilibrium systems, so it is not a thermodynamic stable phase of light, whereas the matter BECs really are new equilibrium phases of quantum matter.
 
i see what makes a condensate a condensate .
 
can you give me examples of b
ose condensate found in nature
 
danahruth said:
can you give me examples of b
ose condensate found in nature
please
 
This thread is two years old.
 

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