Emission or Absorption of a Photon - Dipole Needed?

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SUMMARY

Photons are emitted or absorbed when particles, functioning as dipoles, oscillate under an external driving force. The discussion confirms that systems utilizing dipole oscillation are fundamental for photon emission and absorption. Additionally, it highlights that multipoles, including quadrupoles and octopoles, can also emit and absorb photons, expanding the understanding of photon interaction beyond simple dipole mechanisms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dipole oscillation and its role in photon interaction
  • Familiarity with multipole expansion in electromagnetic theory
  • Knowledge of quantum mechanics principles related to photon emission
  • Basic concepts of electromagnetic radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of dipole oscillation in photon emission using classical electrodynamics
  • Explore the properties and applications of quadrupole and octopole radiation
  • Study the mathematical framework of multipole expansions in electromagnetic theory
  • Investigate quantum mechanical models of photon absorption and emission processes
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying quantum mechanics or electromagnetic theory will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the mechanisms of photon interaction with matter.

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If photons are emitted or absorbed when a pair or a collection of particles, that are or behave as dipoles, undergo oscillation by some driving force, are there any systems that do NOT use a single or collective dipole oscillation to emit or absorb a photon?
 
Last edited:
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no charge moving no photon as it seems to me.
 
All multipoles (other than monopole), quadrupole, octopole, etc.
can emit and absorb photons.
 

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