Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

American Journal of Physics

The Quantum Radiation of a Given Current

Heinz Koppe

Published Oct 1, 1953• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A new treatment is given of the emission of light quanta by an electrical current. It works with the Heisenberg representation, and might be suitable for teaching purposes.
DOI
10.1119/1.1933543

Related papers

Unidirectional Quanta in Wave Mechanics

GREGORY A. BREIT

The problem of emission by an atom is treated according to Schroedinger’s rules. The translational motion of the atom as a whole is taken into account. The charge-current density vector is shown to be propagating with the velocity of light in the direction of the emitted quantum. Only unidirectional quanta can be emitted according to the theory. The reason is that the charge-current wave radiates infinitely more intensely if it travels with light velocity than otherwise.It is shown that Gordon’s treatment of the Compton effect involves an analogous phenomenon. It is suggested that Schroedinger’s equations designed for the conservation of energy and momentum work out better when the translational motion of the atom as a whole is considered.

Journal of the Optical Society of America•May 1, 1927•3 citations

Chapter 8: Some applications of quantum electrodynamics

De Gruyter eBooks•Mar 14, 2013•0 citations

The quantum theory of dispersion

P. A. M. Dirac

Abstract The new quantum mechanics could at first be used to answer questions concerning radiation only through analogies with the classical theory. In Heisenberg’s original matrix theory, for instance, it is assumed that the matrix elements of the polarisation of an atom determine the emission and absorption of radiation analogously to the Fourier components in the classical theory. In more recent theories a certain expression for the electric density obtained from the quantum mechanics is used to determine the emitted radiation by the same formulæ as in the classical theory. These methods give satisfactory results in many cases, but cannot even be applied to problems where the classical analogies are obscure or non-existent, such as resonance radiation and the breadths of spectral lines. A theory of radiation has been given by the author which rests on a more definite basis. It appears that one can treat a field of radiation as a dynamical system, whose interaction with an ordinary atomic system may be described by a Hamiltonian function. The dynamical variables specifying the field are the energies and phases of its various harmonic conrponents, each of which is effectively a simple harmonic oscillator. One must, of course, in the quantum theory take these variables to be q-numbers satisfying the proper quantum conditions. One finds then that the Hamiltonian for the interaction of the field with an atom is of the same form as that for the interaction of an assembly of light-quanta with the atom. There is thus a complete formal reconciliation between the wave and light-quantum points of view.

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A Containing Papers of a Mathematical and Physical Character•May 2, 1927•430 citations

Quantum Electrodynamical Treatments of Atoms Interacting with Radiation Fields .

C.W.S. Chang

•Jan 1, 1969•0 citations

Quantum electrodynamics of the interaction of atoms and photons

Vladilen S Letokhov

Physics-Uspekhi•Mar 31, 1993•0 citations

On The Nature of Light Quanta - A Radically Different View

Stephen Hosier

It has been over 150 years since light was first considered a form of electromagnetic radiation. There is substantial evidence that the current well-established theory, that light quanta (photons) are a form of electromagnetic radiation, is incorrect. This is largely because the theory was first introduced based on assumptions not evidence. The experimental evidence, and the requirements of quantum mechanics, are largely incompatible with the existing theory and the conceptual models regarding the nature of light quanta. Several inconsistencies associated with the current belief and the associated conceptual model are identified. An entirely new and radically different conceptual model is proposed. A conceptual model that embraces what is currently known about light quanta, from both a classical and quantum-mechanical perspective. The proposed conceptual model strongly supports the Information Interpretation of quantum mechanics; a growing belief that information is a fundamental aspect of nature. Several examples of common phenomena, such as the double-slit experiment, are discussed to show how the proposed model of light quanta provides a simpler and more consistent explanation of experimental results and removes many of the apparent mysteries.

•Jul 1, 2020•0 citations
The problem of emission by an atom is treated according to Schroedinger’s rules. The translational motion of the atom as a whole is taken into account. The charge-current density vector is shown to be propagating with the velocity of light in the direction of the emitted quantum. Only unidirectional quanta can be emitted according to the theory. The reason is that the charge-current wave radiates infinitely more intensely if it travels with light velocity than otherwise.It is shown that Gordon’s treatment of the Compton effect involves an analogous phenomenon. It is suggested that Schroedinger’s equations designed for the conservation of energy and momentum work out better when the translational motion of the atom as a whole is considered.
Abstract The new quantum mechanics could at first be used to answer questions concerning radiation only through analogies with the classical theory. In Heisenberg’s original matrix theory, for instance, it is assumed that the matrix elements of the polarisation of an atom determine the emission and absorption of radiation analogously to the Fourier components in the classical theory. In more recent theories a certain expression for the electric density obtained from the quantum mechanics is used to determine the emitted radiation by the same formulæ as in the classical theory. These methods give satisfactory results in many cases, but cannot even be applied to problems where the classical analogies are obscure or non-existent, such as resonance radiation and the breadths of spectral lines. A theory of radiation has been given by the author which rests on a more definite basis. It appears that one can treat a field of radiation as a dynamical system, whose interaction with an ordinary atomic system may be described by a Hamiltonian function. The dynamical variables specifying the field are the energies and phases of its various harmonic conrponents, each of which is effectively a simple harmonic oscillator. One must, of course, in the quantum theory take these variables to be q-numbers satisfying the proper quantum conditions. One finds then that the Hamiltonian for the interaction of the field with an atom is of the same form as that for the interaction of an assembly of light-quanta with the atom. There is thus a complete formal reconciliation between the wave and light-quantum points of view.
It has been over 150 years since light was first considered a form of electromagnetic radiation. There is substantial evidence that the current well-established theory, that light quanta (photons) are a form of electromagnetic radiation, is incorrect. This is largely because the theory was first introduced based on assumptions not evidence. The experimental evidence, and the requirements of quantum mechanics, are largely incompatible with the existing theory and the conceptual models regarding the nature of light quanta. Several inconsistencies associated with the current belief and the associated conceptual model are identified. An entirely new and radically different conceptual model is proposed. A conceptual model that embraces what is currently known about light quanta, from both a classical and quantum-mechanical perspective. The proposed conceptual model strongly supports the Information Interpretation of quantum mechanics; a growing belief that information is a fundamental aspect of nature. Several examples of common phenomena, such as the double-slit experiment, are discussed to show how the proposed model of light quanta provides a simpler and more consistent explanation of experimental results and removes many of the apparent mysteries.