Extremely High Energy Photons?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the possibility of extremely high energy photons, particularly whether there is a limit to the energy that a single photon can possess. Participants explore theoretical implications, potential energy levels, and the nature of such photons in the context of high-energy astrophysical events like supernovae.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the existence of limits on photon energy, suggesting that theoretical considerations related to quantum gravity might impose constraints at extremely high energies.
  • Another participant mentions a hypothetical photon with an energy of approximately 10 GJ, equivalent to tons of TNT, while noting the lack of experimental evidence for such photons.
  • A different participant humorously acknowledges the challenges in creating such high energy photons.
  • One participant refers to a calculation indicating that a photon with a frequency of approximately 1099 Hz would be needed to convert all the energy in the universe from mass to energy.
  • Another participant suggests looking up the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin limit, indicating there may be related theoretical frameworks to consider.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence of limits to photon energy, with multiple competing views and speculative ideas presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative elements regarding quantum gravity and lacks experimental evidence for the existence of extremely high energy photons. Assumptions about the nature of such photons and their implications remain unresolved.

phantom887
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I was wondering whether it was possible for an extremely high energy photon to exist, or if there's a limit to the energy in just one photon. And I'm talking REALLY high energy here. Like twice the energy of, say, the gamma rays released in a supernova. If this is possible, what is that photon? Is it just a high energy gamma ray, or could it be something else?
 
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To my knowledge there isn't a limit, though one could speculate about Planck-length wavelength limits that might arise from quantum gravity, assuming there is such a theory and that someone eventually figures it out. Such a photon would have an energy of ~ 10GJ, which is equivilent to tons of TNT. There is no experimental evidence that such photons actually exist, and creating them would be, ah, a bit of a challenge.
 
Yes, yes I DO believe that would be an annoying little obstacle to overcome, wouldn't it? Haha thanks for the answer.
 
phantom887 said:
I was wondering whether it was possible for an extremely high energy photon to exist, or if there's a limit to the energy in just one photon. And I'm talking REALLY high energy here. Like twice the energy of, say, the gamma rays released in a supernova. If this is possible, what is that photon? Is it just a high energy gamma ray, or could it be something else?

I once calculated, to obtain all the enegry (mass to energy) in the universe, we need one
single photon of frequency ~1099 Hz.
 
No limits to the photon energy that I have heard about, but you may google for related Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin limit.
 

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