Light bending with electric or magnetic field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the possibility of bending light trajectories using external electric or magnetic fields, exploring both theoretical and experimental aspects. Participants examine the implications of light as oscillating electric and magnetic fields and the potential interactions with these fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether photons, as oscillating electric and magnetic fields, can be deflected by external electric or magnetic fields and inquires about relevant experiments.
  • Another participant explains that while the electromagnetic field interacts with charged media, it does not interact with itself at the classical level, though quantum corrections may allow for phenomena like Delbrück scattering, which has not been experimentally observed.
  • A different participant references a source claiming experimental confirmation of light bending in a magnetic field, suggesting a specific study for further examination.
  • Some participants clarify that the referenced experiment seems to involve light transmission through materials with external magnetic fields rather than direct magnetic deflection of light in a vacuum.
  • There is acknowledgment that the experiment might still be significant, although details about its publication date are unclear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the experiments and their implications, with no consensus reached regarding the effectiveness of electric or magnetic fields in bending light in a vacuum.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the discussion, such as the dependence on specific experimental conditions and the lack of clarity regarding the detection of light bending in a vacuum.

carrz
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If photons are oscillating electric and magnetic fields, then we should be able to deflect photons trajectories by external electric or magnetic field, right? Are there any experiments, either successful or unsuccessful, that attempted to bend the light in some such way?
 
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The electromagnetic field interacts with charged media. The electromagnetic field itself is uncharged and thus on the classical level does not interact with itself.

However, there are quantum corrections, leading to an effective four-photon coupling, describing the elastic scattering of two photons. This process is known as Delbrück scattering. To my knowledge it has not been observed yet in an experiment.

The same is true for the Wheeler effect, i.e., the annihilation of two photons to an electron-positron pair (the opposite reaction, i.e., pair annihilation two two photons is well studied).
 
From first reading, it appears that the experiment in question is referring to transmission of a light signal inside different materials with external magnetic fields. It does not appear to say that they detected magnetic deflection of light in vacuum.
 
Matterwave said:
From first reading, it appears that the experiment in question is referring to transmission of a light signal inside different materials with external magnetic fields. It does not appear to say that they detected magnetic deflection of light in vacuum.

Yes, but it's still something, they claim it's the first. Don't know when it was published though.
 

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