Exploring Quantum Leap: Causes, Effects, & Possibilities

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter sudhirking
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Effects Quantum
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of quantum leaps, particularly how and why they occur, the absorption of photons by electrons, and the creation of photons. Participants explore theoretical aspects of quantum mechanics, including the interaction of electrons with photons and the implications of these interactions in different contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how quantum leaps occur and the mechanisms behind an electron's ability to absorb a photon, suggesting that an atom as a whole absorbs the photon rather than a lone electron.
  • There is a proposal that photons are created through certain quantum effects, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear and are debated.
  • One participant mentions the conservation of momentum and energy as a reason why a free electron cannot absorb a photon, indicating that the transition probability is zero under these conditions.
  • Another participant raises questions about the nature of photons, suggesting they may be considered virtual particles with specific properties rather than defined spatial coordinates.
  • Technical details are provided regarding the transition rates of electrons in excited states and the challenges of calculating these rates using semi-classical and quantum electrodynamics (QED) approaches.
  • Some participants reference previous discussions on the forum regarding the creation and absorption of photons, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of these topics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of photon absorption and the nature of quantum leaps, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved. There is no consensus on the specific processes involved or the implications of these interactions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about the independence of electrons and neutrons in hypothetical scenarios, as well as the dependence on various theoretical frameworks (e.g., semi-classical theory vs. QED) that may yield different results regarding transition rates.

sudhirking
Messages
63
Reaction score
2
How and why does quantum leap occur? And (please do not mind my 'confusion') how can an electron "absorb" a photon? If in this singularity, all photons were prematurly absorbed and ,in response, release, how are photons created. Before, i thought electrons jumped levels due to other quantized electromagnetic fields, and that they return due to atomic stability- which propagates a transverse wave if used continuosly. Also, how can quantum leap move 'behind the space' of other energy levels and why can't it move through the levels. Finally, even if we moves through the fourth dimension, it always exactly transports throughtout a vector's time, which in part shows no credibility in the probability created by this idea. Is it due to quantum design and entanglement for quantum leap to occur?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sudhirking said:
How and why does quantum leap occur? And (please do not mind my 'confusion') how can an electron "absorb" a photon?
A lone electron can not absorb a photon. On the other hand, an electron in the field of a nucleus (e.g., hydrogen), can absorb a photon... but perhaps it is more correct to say that the atom absorbs the photon and just that the electron is promoted to a higher energy level.
If in this singularity, all photons were prematurly absorbed and ,in response, release, how are photons created. Before, i thought electrons jumped levels due to other quantized electromagnetic fields, and that they return due to atomic stability- which propagates a transverse wave if used continuosly. Also, how can quantum leap move 'behind the space' of other energy levels and why can't it move through the levels. Finally, even if we moves through the fourth dimension, it always exactly transports throughtout a vector's time, which in part shows no credibility in the probability created by this idea. Is it due to quantum design and entanglement for quantum leap to occur?
 
So where do all the photons come from? What cause there radiation and how are they electromanetically produced?
 
olgranpappy said:
A lone electron can not absorb a photon.

why? Also, in electrodynamics what occurse when you have an electron next to a nuetron. Please assume an independent universe with only these two curvatures.

What causes the photons to be absorbed by the atoms as a whole?? There has to be some quantum effects occurring at those stages.. what are they?
 
The last month this question has been discussed wildley in this forum, how photons are created and absorbed. I suggest you search for these threads and read them.
 
thank you, but from what I've read from the forum, apart from the fierce argument, it seems to me that you are suggesting that phton be a virtual particle, and therefore hold a ceratin degreee of magnitude rather than spatial cordinates.
 
Last edited:
sudhirking said:
why?
purely kinematic reasons; it is impossible to conserve momentum and energy in the process if the electron is free. Sure you can draw the Feynman diagram, but the transition probability of the process is zero by conservation of energy and momentum.
Also, in electrodynamics what occurse when you have an electron next to a nuetron. Please assume an independent universe with only these two curvatures.

What causes the photons to be absorbed by the atoms as a whole?? There has to be some quantum effects occurring at those stages.. what are they?

Consider an atom in a 2s excited state. In a semi-classical theory the transition rate is zero because there simply is no electromagnetic field around. In QED the transition rate can be calculated in the usual way to lowest order in the perturbation
[tex] U\sim\bold{p}<br /> \cdot<br /> \bold{A}\;,[/tex]
where A is an operator containing creation and annihilation operators of the photon field. The transition rate is still very "small" because the process is "forbidden" in the dipole approximation. the transition rate from 2p to 1s is bigger and can be calculated by well-known method via QED. But, again, in the semi-classical theory the rate is zero for the reason given above.

For absorption the rates can be calculated using a semi-classical theory. See, for example, Bethe's book "Intermediate Quantum Mechanics".
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
528
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
6K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
9K
  • · Replies 58 ·
2
Replies
58
Views
5K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
861