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Main Question or Discussion Point
Is there a frequency at which electrons do not flow (too high freq.)?
Fastest switching transistor- 508 Ghz
Fastest switching transistor- 508 Ghz
If I remember correctly, an accumulation of charge inside a metal lasts less than about 10^(-15) s; it means we should go up to at least 10^15 Hz with frequency, that is to visible wavelenghts.the switching of the direction of the current in the wires becomes too fast so the electrons would not vibrate as in AC
Is it possible to happen at frequencies that super high?
The material would become insulating because it's as if the electrons couldn't move freely, however the classical description wouldn't be adequate anylonger and you should use the quantum one.So the wire would "glow" at that high of frequency, or would photons not be emitted?
The simplified theory of conductors and semiconductors uses 'conduction bands' and 'valence bands' to catagorize the energy of electrons in the material. Those are definitely quantum concepts. But the propagation of high frequencies along a wire are derived (I think) from classical E&M ... the external fields can only propagate so far in a conductor because of its super high index of refraction. Is there a quantum derivation of this? The probability that a photon of a given energy (wavelength) will penetrate to a given depth in a wire (modelled as a space charge constrained in a cylindrical potential well)? Perhaps there are tunneling solutions where regions of the conductor can participate in high frequency conduction and 'get around' the classic skin effect.The material would become insulating because it's as if the electrons couldn't move freely, however the classical description wouldn't be adequate anylonger and you should use the quantum one.