Is there an equation for the energy loss of a photon in different media?

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SUMMARY

A photon loses 100% of its energy upon absorption and 0% if it is not absorbed. The discussion highlights the concept of the probability of absorption for a single photon, which can be quantified using an exponential absorption law. This law states that the number of surviving photons decreases with the thickness of the absorbing material, described by the equation N = N_0 e^{-\alpha \Delta x}, where α is the absorption coefficient dependent on photon energy and the type of absorber.

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  • Understanding of photon behavior in different media
  • Familiarity with exponential functions and their applications
  • Knowledge of absorption coefficients and their significance
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics related to light
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Physicists, optical engineers, and anyone studying the interaction of light with materials will benefit from this discussion.

Ralphonsicus
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If a photon is absorbed, it loses 100% of its energy. If it doesn't get absorbed, it loses 0% of its energy.

What you can talk about is the probability of absorption for a single photon, which translates into the (average) fraction of a large number of photons that gets absorbed when passing through something.

Typically you have an exponential absorption law, in which the number of surviving photons decreases with thickness of the absorbing material according to an "absorption coefficient" which depends on photon energy and the type of absorber:

[tex]N = N_0 e^{-\alpha \Delta x}[/tex]
 

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