Light in a medium: do phonons store light energy?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interaction of light with transparent media, specifically examining whether phonons store light energy during absorption and re-emission processes. It concludes that phonons transition to higher energy states upon absorption, similar to electrons, but with a continuous range of energy levels. This mechanism introduces delays in photon interactions, which disrupts coherent transmission and leads to significant scattering due to phase variations in re-emitted waves.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of phonons and their role in solid-state physics
  • Knowledge of light absorption and emission processes
  • Familiarity with coherent light transmission principles
  • Basic concepts of wave scattering in transparent media
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of phonons in energy transfer within materials
  • Study the principles of coherent light transmission and its applications
  • Explore the effects of scattering on light propagation in various media
  • Investigate the differences between electron and phonon interactions with light
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and optical engineers interested in the behavior of light in different media and the implications for coherent light transmission.

Habeebe
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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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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.
 

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