Exploring Photon Transmitters and Receiving Antennas

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    Photon Transmitter
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of photon transmission and reception in the context of electromagnetic waves and antennas. Participants explore the relationship between photons and electromagnetic radiation, questioning whether photons can be considered distinct from electromagnetic waves in transmission and reception scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the possibility of emitting photons from photon emitters instead of using traditional transmitting antennas, questioning if receiving antennas would detect these photons.
  • Several participants express confusion about the initial question, indicating a need for clarification on the relationship between photons and electromagnetic waves.
  • Another participant asserts that electromagnetic waves cannot exist without photons, emphasizing that they are fundamentally the same entity.
  • A participant elaborates that energy delivered by electromagnetic radiation is quantized in discrete amounts known as photons, and the detection of these photons depends on the sensitivity of the measuring instruments.
  • Further discussion indicates that while photons are transmitted and received, the underlying mechanism may involve fields rather than particles in quantum field theory (QFT).
  • One participant argues that photons are the fundamental constituents of light and that electromagnetic waves carry energy without requiring a specific "transmitter" substance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the interpretation of photons and electromagnetic waves, with some asserting they are distinct while others argue they are inherently linked. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views on the nature of photon transmission and reception.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including varying interpretations of the relationship between photons and electromagnetic waves, as well as differing levels of understanding among participants regarding quantum field theory and detection mechanisms.

Edward Wij
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If instead of sending electromagnetic wave in transmitting antenna by shuttling electrons.. what would happen if we emit photons from photon emitters like in double slit.. would receiving antenna that receive wave receive the photons?
 
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Can you rephrase your question. I don't understand what you are asking.
 
anorlunda said:
Can you rephrase your question. I don't understand what you are asking.

photon is excitation of the electromagnetic wave. what if you send photon one at a time.. would the receiver receive photon or electromagnetic wave?
 
No, there is no electromagnetic wave without photons. You seem to think that they are two different things. They are not.
 
When electromagnetic radiation delivers energy to some material (a receiving antenna detects a signal, a surface is illuminated by light, human skin is sunburned, x-rays form an image on photographic film, ...) we find that the energy is always delivered in discrete amounts at single points. We call these individual deliveries "photons".

Thus, the receiving antenna is always "receiving photons". The only question is whether our measurements are sensitive enough to pick out the individual photons, or just to detect the total amount of energy being delivered by a large number arriving at about the same time.
 
anorlunda said:
No, there is no electromagnetic wave without photons. You seem to think that they are two different things. They are not.

In transmitting antenna. Photons are transmitted.. and they travel as electromagnetic wave.. and receive as photons.. so particles are only for detections.. right? but in QFT.. particles don't seem to be part of the detection process.. but fields
 
Edward Wij said:
In transmitting antenna. Photons are transmitted.. and they travel as electromagnetic wave.. and receive as photons.. so particles are only for detections.. right? but in QFT.. particles don't seem to be part of the detection process.. but fields
You're misinterpreting things. A photon is electromagnetic radiation itself. EM waves, like all waves, carry energy from one place to another. The energy is always transferred by EM waves in small packets, called photons. You can say that they are the fundamental constituent of light. You don't need a "transmitter" substance for light.
 

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