Polarization Vector for Quantum EM Field

TriTertButoxy
Messages
190
Reaction score
0
I'm doing some calculations and I've run into something rather strange.

I need to evaluate the following dot products

\vec{\epsilon}_{k,\,s}\cdot\vec{\epsilon}_{-k,\,s'} = ?
\vec{\epsilon}_{k,\,s}^*\cdot\vec{\epsilon}_{-k,\,s'}^* = ?​

where \vec\epsilon_{k,\,s} is the normalized polarization vector for a single photon with momentum k, and spin s. Does anyone know where I can look for these identities?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Assume that the polarizations are along cartesian directions...
 
If by "spin", you mean helicity, the e.e'=plus or minus 1, depending on the relative helicities. This works because the momenta are = and opposite.
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. Towards the end of the first lecture for the Qiskit Global Summer School 2025, Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Olivia Lanes (Global Lead, Content and Education IBM) stated... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-entanglement-is-a-kinematic-fact-not-a-dynamical-effect/ by @RUTA
If we release an electron around a positively charged sphere, the initial state of electron is a linear combination of Hydrogen-like states. According to quantum mechanics, evolution of time would not change this initial state because the potential is time independent. However, classically we expect the electron to collide with the sphere. So, it seems that the quantum and classics predict different behaviours!

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
7K
Replies
87
Views
7K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Back
Top