The Size of Photons: Experiments and Results

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter bassplayer142
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Experiments Photons
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the spatial dimensions of photons, particularly in the context of visible light. Participants explore experimental evidence and theoretical considerations regarding the "size" of photons and their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the spatial dimensions of photons and expresses interest in experiments that determine their size.
  • Another participant notes that photons are typically described by their wavelength, which ranges from approximately 350 to 750 nanometers in visible light, and mentions that photons are considered point particles according to quantum mechanics.
  • A third participant references previous discussions on the size of photons, suggesting that this topic has been explored in various threads.
  • A participant shares a personal experiment idea involving shining a laser on a solid object, proposing that if photons are smaller than atoms, the light should appear brighter at the intersection of the laser and the object.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the concept of photon size, with some emphasizing the wavelength as the primary descriptor and others suggesting experimental approaches to investigate the matter further. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitive size of photons.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the limitations of defining "size" in the context of quantum particles, as photons are bound by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and are generally treated as point particles.

bassplayer142
Messages
431
Reaction score
0
In visible light, what is the spatial dimensions of the photon itself. I'm interested in the experiments they have done to prove how big the photon is.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
bassplayer142 said:
In visible light, what is the spatial dimensions of the photon itself. I'm interested in the experiments they have done to prove how big the photon is.

In most cases, a photon is described by its wavelength and has physical properties that relate to that. Visible light is roughly in the range of 350 to 750 nanometers (10^-9 meters).

Naturally, there have been any number of experiments that connect wavelength to some of these physical properties. Is there any specific "size" property you are trying to understand? Other than wavelength, a photon does not have another parameter that relates to size in the normal sense of the word. (As a quantum particle, it is bound by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. It is otherwise considered to be a point particle in much the same fashion as an electron.)
 
Thanks you guys. I had devised a little experiment myself. I didn't get into detail about it but basically you shine a laser against a solid object. If the size of the photon is smaller then an atom it should shine brighter in the crack where the laser and object meet and it would through the object. Of course the object would have to be ideal for the amount of light it let through also.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad 2-Slit: How do we know photon guns only produce single photons?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
Undergrad Poisson spot with single photons
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
Graduate QED and photon path experiments
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad The Delayed Choice experiment: Is Photon speed important?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
High School How is energy transferred from a wave to a photon?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
High School Why do photon polarization experiments show similar outcomes in different situations?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad The electron is not point-like?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Undergrad Double-slit experiment with momentum entangled pair of photons
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad The Potential of Back-to-Back Photons: an Experiment
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Photon interference and beamforming
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
6K