Light in a medium: do phonons store light energy?

In summary, light in a medium refers to the slowing down of the speed of light as it propagates through a material medium. Phonons, on the other hand, are quasiparticles responsible for the transfer of heat and sound energy in a solid material. While they do not directly store light energy, they can affect its propagation through scattering, absorption, and altering the speed of light. These effects can be manipulated through techniques such as phonon engineering, allowing for control of the interaction between light and material.
  • #1
Habeebe
38
1
When light travels through a transparent medium and is absorbed then re-emitted, do the phonons just move to a higher energy state after absorption? Is it the same as absorption and re-emission of light by electrons, aside from having a continuous range of available energies?
 
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  • #2
Habeebe said:
absorption and re-emission of light by electrons,
That process would introduce an unknown delay between absorption and emission with each photon interaction. That would not sustain a coherent transmission through the medium. Drastic scattering would result from the spread in phases of each re-emitted wave.
 

What is light in a medium?

Light in a medium refers to the propagation of light through a material medium, such as air, water, or glass. This results in a slowing down of the speed of light compared to its speed in a vacuum.

What are phonons?

Phonons are quasiparticles that represent collective vibrational modes in a solid material. They are responsible for the transfer of heat and sound energy in a material.

Do phonons store light energy?

No, phonons do not directly store light energy. They are responsible for the absorption and scattering of light in a material, but they do not store it. The energy of a photon is either converted to heat or re-emitted as another photon when interacting with phonons.

How do phonons affect the propagation of light in a medium?

Phonons can affect the propagation of light in a medium in several ways. They can cause light to scatter, resulting in a decrease in intensity and a change in the direction of propagation. They can also absorb light, converting its energy into heat. Additionally, phonons can alter the speed of light, resulting in a phenomenon known as optical dispersion.

Can phonons be manipulated to control the propagation of light in a medium?

Yes, phonons can be manipulated to control the propagation of light in a medium. This is achieved through techniques such as phonon engineering, where the properties of the material are modified to control the behavior of phonons. This, in turn, affects the interaction of light with the material. Such control can be utilized in applications such as optical switches and modulators.

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