Double slit experiment whith one photon

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the double slit experiment with a focus on ensuring that only one photon is present at a time. Participants explore the implications of photon behavior and the necessary conditions for observing interference patterns when photons are emitted from a light source.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of light power required to ensure single photon emission, questioning the applicability of physical dimensions to photons. There is a focus on the probabilistic nature of photon emission rates and the implications for interference.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into photon emission rates and the conditions necessary for interference. There are multiple interpretations of what constitutes "one photon at a time," with some suggesting practical approaches to achieve this through filtering and controlling light intensity.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the definitions of photon properties and the implications of photon lifetime on experimental outcomes. The discussion highlights the complexities of measuring and controlling photon rates in the context of quantum mechanics.

  • #31
it seem s the solution should be simple, if after exciting a single hydrogen atom's electron to a higher energy state and as it returns a photon is emitted, pass it through the double slit experiment repeatedly.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
The Length of the Photon

Would it be helpful to imagine the photon as a wave thread connection (physical) from the source to where it is absorbed or entangled again? Between the source and destination (entanglement) the photon wave has small amplitude with a huge period to conserve the energy. This long period (threadlike) is perhaps how huge distances can be trans versed with no (little?) loss of total photon energy.
If it entangles with something then it collapses from the source to its source determined wavelength and amplitude again at the destination. But before the entanglement it is stretched out with immensely large period and tiny amplitude not entangled.
Given this idea, the length of a photon is perhaps the distance from the source to the place where it entangles, and only when it entangles does it express its source determined wavelength.
When a double slit is in the photon path, the stretched thread (which is still connected to the source) goes through each slit at a different time. This time difference is related to the small distance between slits. This time amount would perhaps be too small to measure.
With this view the photon does not interact with itself nor does it pass through both slits simultaneously.
Its interaction or entanglement with the final destination is where the characteristic "interference" pattern is seen caused by the rapid oscillation of the photon thread oscillating from one slit to the other. The oscillation is due to the 50% chance that it goes through one slit.
In this view the photon does not leave the source and arrive at entanglement.
The source and destination are connected until it entangles (almost instantaneously). The long period energy then collapses at entanglement with a source determined wavelength (reclaiming the thread energy) and producing the interference pattern because it went through different slits at different times. The long period wave has a vector force toward the destination.
So the length of the photon would be the distance from the source to the destination.
The form of the photon energy would have 2 forms. Source determined wavelength and thread wavelength (huge period with tiny tiny amplitude). The further away the destination, the lower the amplitude of the wave and the longer the wavelength, until entanglement.
If the wave lost any energy into intermediate space, the source determined wavelength upon entanglement would be red shifted.
Maybe the stretched out photons are what “dark” matter is as all space is filled with light. A very small proportion of it becomes entangled with matter. Like sunshine.
This concept becomes more interesting when one considers that the form of photonic energy is probably helical. Between the source and the destination the helix approaches straight line proportions.
Entanglement requires the recoiling of this photon "spring thread". The entangled state being the source determined wavelength.

So perhaps the length of a photon is the distance between the source and the destination. Does this idea remove the enigma? Is there a weakness in this model? Does it affect expanding universe models?
Are these ideas admissible in any way into consideration?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
974
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K