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Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences Physics

What is a photon?

Oleg N Krokhin

Published May 1, 2016• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Certain properties of photons viewed as quanta (particles of an electromagnetic field) are discussed. Specifically, the nature of localization (size) of photons along and across the direction of wave propagation is examined.
DOI
10.3103/s1062873816050105

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Abstract: This paper examines the Double-Slit Interference Thought Experiment to demonstrate that light quanta do not exhibit wave-particle duality under the condition that the experiment is successful. The essence of light quanta is that of pure particles. The thought experiment of light quanta undergoing double-slit interference is pivotal in proving that light quanta, along with other particles such as electrons, atoms, and macromolecules, are purely particulate in nature. In space, photons can interfere with each other's paths based on their momentum. This interference can simultaneously alter the trajectory and even the velocity of photons. That is, a photon beam with greater momentum may carry along a portion of beams with lesser momentum, propagating them over considerable distances. The wavelength of a light wave fundamentally represents the distance between consecutive photons as they queue and advance through space. A longer wavelength corresponds to a greater distance between photons, causing them to diverge more widely in space, as seen with radio waves. Conversely, a shorter wavelength implies closer proximity between photons, resulting in more tightly packed emission and a highly directional nature, as seen in gamma rays. Photons in the visible spectrum may occasionally transmit information with specific content. This information, conveyed via photons, can propagate over distances ranging from several metres to thousands of kilometres.