Radio frequency creating light

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using radio frequency (RF) waves to create visible light, particularly through the use of antennas and prisms. Participants explore concepts related to the photoelectric effect, energy conversion, and the potential application of microwaves in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests connecting an antenna to a prism to create light of different wavelengths, possibly for use in LEDs.
  • Another participant argues that radio waves would likely pass through a prism without creating visible light and that combining radio waves to produce visible light is not feasible with a prism.
  • A different viewpoint indicates that to produce visible light from radio waves, one would need to be close to a radio transmitter and use an antenna with a tuned circuit to generate enough voltage to drive an LED, but notes the significant energy difference between RF photons and visible light photons.
  • One participant shares their experience with microwaves, suggesting that diodes sensitive to specific frequencies could potentially create a small potential difference, leading to faint light, but emphasizes the low energy of radio wave photons.
  • A participant raises the question of whether this concept could work in the microwave range to obtain more energy.
  • Another participant humorously warns about the implications of using a large dish to intercept microwave power, suggesting it could attract attention.
  • One participant encourages the idea of using a small transmitter for the project, asserting that the principles remain the same regardless of scale.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of generating visible light from RF waves, with no consensus reached on the methods or effectiveness of the proposed ideas. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical application of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to the energy levels of RF and visible light photons, the need for proximity to a transmitter, and the potential challenges of using specific diodes or antennas. These factors contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the feasibility of the proposed methods.

rudolf141
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hi guys ,

I d like to ask you some comments and recommendations, I am an undergrad working ,trying to, on a project.
I was thinking that if I could connect an antenna to a prism and then create light of different wavelength which could be used for ...I don t know photoelectric effect and so on... in LED perhaps.

sorry for any mistakes

please any comments or recommendations for a textbook which would make it clearer ,antennas and all the above, it s more electrical engeneering and I m a physics student



thank you all, Regards
 
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How would the antenna create visible light? Radio waves would go through the prism most likely. Also you cannot combine the radio waves to make visible light either. At least not with a prism.
 
To 'get' visible light out of radio waves, you need to be very near to a radio transmitter and then use an antenna with a tuned circuit. This passive receiving set 'could' produce enough volts to drive an LED.

But the energy of RF photons is very low and the energy of visible light photons is millions of times more so you couldn't get direct conversion that way..
 
hi! I don't know about radio waves, but i have experienced with microwaves.
Ones need to have diodes which are sensibel toward waves of a certain frequency. It is like solar cells which are sensibel by visible light and are able to transfers (or creats ?) photons of visible light in electrons and positrons (some body calls them holes) which move in oposite directions and voila ! difference of potential. If this potential is big enough you may conect a lamp in circuit and have light.
Radio waves have very low fraquence and their photons very low energy ( E = h*f) so they are able to create very small potential. May be -- using lamp diodes which works with small potentials you may have any faint light.
Cheers!
 
OK,

Thank you, mquirce.
Now the problem is that I should be near a radio frequency emitter. And I m probably not.
Is there any way this could work in the microwave range? in order to get out more energy out . regards,
R
 
Microwave links work on as little power as possible - and it is often a very low power. If you stick a dish up there to intercept enough of that power to light your bedroom, someone will soon come knocking on your door because you are screening the intended receive antanna. They will know where to come because they will see the 50ft diameter dish high on a pole in your garden. :biggrin:
 
I see no reason you cannot get a small transmitter and do your project on a small scale. The principles are all the same.
 
You re funny sophiecentaur.
Thank you all for your advices.
 

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