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what_are_electrons
Is the refraction of light a photon absorption-emission process?
If so, why doesn't the beam scatter in all directions?
If so, why doesn't the beam scatter in all directions?
Claude Bile said:The process is most definitely not absorption, the incoming photon stimulates (or drives) the electron at the frequency of the photon, which in turn generates another photon (the reflected photon). Note that this process is not absorption as it does not promote the electron to a higher energy state.Claude.
Gokul43201 said:it can still excite a phonon or plasmon mode
ArmoSkater87 said:hmmm...thats over my head. Is that supposed to answer my question?
Claude Bile said:It is entirely possible (probable in some cases) that the photon will simply pass through the electron cloud. The E-field of the photon interacts with the atom by polarising it. This polarisation oscillates in phase with the E-field of the photon and propagates through the medium as a polarisation wave. The photon then emerges from the medium, unchanged in direction, wavelength or polarisation (Assuming that exotic effects such as the Faraday effect, or nonlinear effects are assumed not to be present).
Claude.
Claude Bile said:Gonzolo, you are describing a photon/phonon interaction. This type of interaction usually involves some momentum transfer and thus a direction and/or wavelength shift of the incident photon.
Claude Bile said:It is entirely possible (probable in some cases) that the photon will simply pass through the electron cloud. The E-field of the photon interacts with the atom by polarising it. This polarisation oscillates in phase with the E-field of the photon and propagates through the medium as a polarisation wave. The photon then emerges from the medium, unchanged in direction, wavelength or polarisation (Assuming that exotic effects such as the Faraday effect, or nonlinear effects are assumed not to be present).
Refraction of light is the bending of light as it passes through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. This occurs because light travels at different speeds in different mediums, causing the light rays to change direction.
Photon absorption is the process in which light particles, or photons, are absorbed by atoms or molecules in a material. When light passes through a material, some photons may be absorbed, causing the light to lose some of its energy and change direction. This can affect the overall direction and intensity of the refracted light.
The amount of refraction in a material is determined by the speed of light in that material, also known as the refractive index. The higher the refractive index, the greater the change in direction of the light as it passes through the material. The refractive index is dependent on the density and composition of the material.
The direction of a refracted light beam is determined by Snell's Law, which states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speeds of light in the two mediums. This law helps to predict the amount and direction of the refraction of light as it passes through different mediums.
Understanding refraction of light is important in many fields, including optics, engineering, and medicine. Some real-life applications include the design of lenses for glasses and cameras, the creation of microscopes and telescopes, and the development of medical imaging techniques such as MRI and ultrasound. Additionally, understanding refraction helps in understanding the behavior of light in the natural world, such as the formation of rainbows and mirages.