Liftetime of photons in matter

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of photons in different mediums compared to their movement in a vacuum. It is established that photons travel at the speed of light (c) and experience a lifetime of zero in their own reference frame, as per Lorentz transformations. When photons enter a medium, they appear to move slower due to the dielectric constant, but they do not actually slow down; rather, their effective speed is altered by interactions with the medium. This topic is clarified further in the FAQ section of general physics forums.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Lorentz transformations
  • Familiarity with the concept of reference frames
  • Knowledge of the speed of light in vacuum (c)
  • Basic principles of optics and dielectric constants
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  • Research the implications of Lorentz transformations on particle physics
  • Study the behavior of light in various dielectric materials
  • Explore the FAQ section in general physics forums for common misconceptions
  • Learn about the quantum mechanics of photons and their interactions with matter
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Physicists, students of optics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of light and its behavior in different mediums.

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Let's say we have a photon. When moving in vacuum it has speed c. Due to mr Lorentz it will experience a time t=0 in its own referance frame no matter how far it travels. Is this right? So relative to itself the photon has a lifetime of zero?

If so, how is this affected when it is not in vacum? I know we see it as moving slower because the dieletric constant is different, but how does the photon see it? Is this in anywayrelated to referance frames?
 
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Firstly, photons do not truly have a definable reference frame. Secondly, photons always travel at c, they do not slow down in other mediums. The FAQ in the general physics forums would be a good place to start, there is an article in there, which addresses this misconception.
 

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