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

Experiments supporting the momentum exchange theory description for photon diffraction

Michael J. Mobley

Published Sep 30, 2022• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Mobley (2018) presented Momentum Exchange Theory (MET) as an alternative picture for photon diffraction, providing comparable predictions to Classical Optical Wave and Boundary Diffraction Wave Theories. MET explains diffraction scattering in terms of momentum transfer probabilities determined by two primary factors: 1) the momentum transfer states of the scattering lattice (aperture); and 2) the distance and location of momentum transfer between the lattice and the scattered photon path. For example, MET was illustrated examining straight edge diffraction where the Fresnel pattern is obtained assuming local maxima in the probability of perpendicular momentum exchange approximated by Δp = ±(2j+1)h/4x, where x is the distance between the photon’s path and the edge, (j = 0, 1, 2, 3…). This study explores diffraction experiments that might discriminate between the predictions of MET and alternative wave theories. This reports preliminary results with novel observations supporting descriptions based upon MET. Experiments examine diffraction of a narrow laser beam by thin aluminum ribbons with a variety of configurations: e.g. diffraction by the edge of an Al ribbon and single-slit diffraction between Al ribbons. Additional fringes are observed in diffraction patterns with a dependence related to Δp = ±(2j+1)h/2L where L is the width of the Al ribbon. Photon scattering exhibits similarities in dependence to multiple-slit diffraction but where the photons only pass through a single slit. Observations suggest the photon scattering probabilities are dependent on the electromagnetic field geometry that determines momentum exchange at the aperture as predicted by MET.

DOI
10.1117/12.2632177

Related papers

Photon diffraction described by momentum exchange theory: what more can edge diffraction tell us?

Michael J. Mobley

Previous papers have presented an alternative picture for photon diffraction based on a distribution of photon paths through quantized momentum exchange with probabilities defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This contrasted with the picture from classical optical wave theory that describes diffraction in terms of the Huygens-Fresnel principle and sums the phased contributions of electromagnetic waves at the location of detection to determine probabilities. This alternative picture was termed “Momentum Exchange Theory (MET),” replacing the concept of Huygens wavelets with photon scattering (positive and negative dispersions) through momentum exchange with the scattering lattice. MET assumes a momentum representation for diffracted particles and has been applied to several different optical diffraction experimental configurations. Straight edge diffraction has been a particularly revealing experimental configuration as it provides significant clues to the geometric parameters controlling exchange probabilities. Diffraction by an opaque disc is examined to provide further insight to negative (attractive) dispersions. This analysis indicates that the “diffraction force” is an integration of momentum exchange field interactions to derive an exchange probability at interaction points along the photon path – resembling aspects of the QED path integral formulation for particle interactions.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 10, 2015•3 citations

Further investigation of an integrated picture of photon diffraction described by virtual particle momentum exchange

Michael J. Mobley

An alternative picture for photon diffraction had been proposed describing diffraction by a distribution of photon paths determined through a Fourier analysis of a scattering lattice. The momentum exchange probabilities are defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This contrasts with the picture from classical optical wave theory that describes diffraction in terms of the Huygens-Fresnel principle and sums the phased contributions of electromagnetic waves to determine probabilities at detection. This revised picture, termed “Momentum Exchange Theory,” can be derived through a momentum representation of the diffraction formulas of optical wave theory, replacing the concept of Huygens wavelets with photon scattering through momentum exchange with the lattice. Starting with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld and Fresnel-Kirchoff formulas, this paper demonstrates that diffraction results from positive and negative photon dispersions through virtual particle exchange probabilities that depend on the lattice geometry and are constrained by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The positive and negative increments of momentum exchange exhibit harmonic probability distributions characteristic of a “random walk,” dependent on the distance of momentum exchange. The analysis produces a simplified prediction for the observed intensity profile for a collimated laser beam diffracted by a long, straight edge that lends conceptual support for this alternative picture.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 1, 2013•3 citations

Diffraction described by virtual particle momentum exchange: the "diffraction force"

Michael J. Mobley

Particle diffraction can be described by an ensemble of particle paths determined through a Fourier analysis of a scattering lattice where the momentum exchange probabilities are defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This description is compatible with optical wave theories and quantum particle models and provides deeper insights to the nature of quantum uncertainty. In this paper the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld and Fresnel-Kirchoff theories are analyzed for diffraction by a narrow slit and a straight edge to demonstrate the dependence of particle scattering on the distance of virtual particle exchange. The quantized momentum exchange is defined by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and is consistent with the formalism of QED. This exchange of momentum manifests the "diffraction force" that appears to be a universal construct as it applies to neutral and charged particles. This analysis indicates virtual particles might form an exchange channel that bridges the space of momentum exchange.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 8, 2011•3 citations

The nature of light: a description of photon diffraction based upon virtual particle exchange

Michael J. Mobley

Any discussion of the nature of light must include a reminder that whenever we make the observation of light (photons), we only observe particle-like properties. This paper provides a reiteration that we don't need wave-like properties to scattered photons to describe phenomena such as diffraction or refraction of light. This paper updates the original ideas of Duane, later revived by Lande, which provided a description of light diffraction without making reference to a wave nature. These are updated using terminology more common to quantum electrodynamics which describes the interaction of particles in terms of the exchange of virtual photons. Diffraction is described in terms of an ensemble of distinct, probability weighted paths for the scattered photons. The scattering associated with each path results from the quantized momentum exchange with the scattering lattice attributed to the exchange or reflection of virtual photons. The probability for virtual particle exchange/reflection is dependent upon the allowed momentum states of the lattice determined by a Fourier analysis of the lattice geometry. Any scattered photon will exhibit an apparent wavelength inversely proportional to its momentum. Simplified, particle-like descriptions are developed for Young's double slit diffraction, Fraunhofer diffraction and Fresnel diffraction. This description directly accounts for the quantization of momentum transferred to the scattering lattice and the specific eigenvalues of the lattice based upon the constraints to virtual photon exchange set by the Uncertainty Principle, Δπi = h/ζi.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Aug 1, 2005•5 citations

Experimental study of light forces on atoms: diffraction and diffusion

P. L. Gould, George A. Ruff, Peter J. Martin +3 more

We have observed both diffractive and diffusive regimes in the transfer of momentum to an atomic beam by a standing-wave radiation field. The momentum transfer was measured by passing a well-collimated beam of sodium atoms through a focused standing-wave laser waist. A narrow velocity distribution beam was obtained by utilizing a supersonic expansion and a two-state system was realized by optically pumping the beam prior to the interaction. The transverse momentum transferred to the atomic beam by the radiation field was measured by scanning a detector downstream from the interaction. The overall momentum resolution of the apparatus is less than the momentum of a single photon. The transition from diffractive to diffusive behavior is associated with an increase in the average number of spontaneous decays occurring during the interaction. In the diffractive regime, spontaneous decay is insignificant and momentum transfer proceeds by pairs of absorption/stimulated emission processes. This produces momentum exchange quantized in even multiples of photon momentum, the so-called Kapitza-Dirac effect; the deflection patterns show oscillatory structure. In the diffusive regime, spontaneous decay is important and causes fluctuations in the radiative forces. In addition, the recoil distribution associated with spontaneous decay results in a washing out of the diffraction peaks associated with stimulated processes, resulting in a smooth deflection pattern.

International Laser Science Conference•Jan 1, 1986•0 citations

Fresnel diffraction is a basic quantum mechanical effect

Mohammad Taghi Tavassoly

Using the Fresnel–Kirchhoff integral, we express the state of the light that diffracts from an aperture to a point, by superposition of two or more waves. The amplitudes of the waves are determined by the distances of the point from the ray optics borders of the emerging beams. The interference approach to the Fresnel diffraction leads to a universal formulation of the normalized intensity distribution on the diffraction pattern that determines the state of the incident light, the parameters of the aperture, and its distance from the observation plane, uniquely. In the photon approach, according to the uncertainty principle, confining the position of a photon to an aperture changes the probable propagation direction of the photon in an interval that leads to the diffraction of the photon or light. Thus, the normalized intensity distribution on the diffraction pattern is the probability distribution of a photon. To this probability distribution, a probability amplitude distribution is associated that diffracts similar to a wave in Fresnel diffraction. Applying the introduced approach to the study of the diffraction, from different simple apertures and phase steps, we deduce general behaviors of the Fresnel diffraction and show it is involved in all aspects of light phenomena.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•May 14, 2021•8 citations
Mobley (2018) presented Momentum Exchange Theory (MET) as an alternative picture for photon diffraction, providing comparable predictions to Classical Optical Wave and Boundary Diffraction Wave Theories. MET explains diffraction scattering in terms of momentum transfer probabilities determined by two primary factors: 1) the momentum transfer states of the scattering lattice (aperture); and 2) the distance and location of momentum transfer between the lattice and the scattered photon path. For example, MET was illustrated examining straight edge diffraction where the Fresnel pattern is obtained assuming local maxima in the probability of perpendicular momentum exchange approximated by Δp = ±(2j+1)h/4x, where x is the distance between the photon’s path and the edge, (j = 0, 1, 2, 3…). This study explores diffraction experiments that might discriminate between the predictions of MET and alternative wave theories. This reports preliminary results with novel observations supporting descriptions based upon MET. Experiments examine diffraction of a narrow laser beam by thin aluminum ribbons with a variety of configurations: e.g. diffraction by the edge of an Al ribbon and single-slit diffraction between Al ribbons. Additional fringes are observed in diffraction patterns with a dependence related to Δp = ±(2j+1)h/2L where L is the width of the Al ribbon. Photon scattering exhibits similarities in dependence to multiple-slit diffraction but where the photons only pass through a single slit. Observations suggest the photon scattering probabilities are dependent on the electromagnetic field geometry that determines momentum exchange at the aperture as predicted by MET.
Previous papers have presented an alternative picture for photon diffraction based on a distribution of photon paths through quantized momentum exchange with probabilities defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This contrasted with the picture from classical optical wave theory that describes diffraction in terms of the Huygens-Fresnel principle and sums the phased contributions of electromagnetic waves at the location of detection to determine probabilities. This alternative picture was termed “Momentum Exchange Theory (MET),” replacing the concept of Huygens wavelets with photon scattering (positive and negative dispersions) through momentum exchange with the scattering lattice. MET assumes a momentum representation for diffracted particles and has been applied to several different optical diffraction experimental configurations. Straight edge diffraction has been a particularly revealing experimental configuration as it provides significant clues to the geometric parameters controlling exchange probabilities. Diffraction by an opaque disc is examined to provide further insight to negative (attractive) dispersions. This analysis indicates that the “diffraction force” is an integration of momentum exchange field interactions to derive an exchange probability at interaction points along the photon path – resembling aspects of the QED path integral formulation for particle interactions.
An alternative picture for photon diffraction had been proposed describing diffraction by a distribution of photon paths determined through a Fourier analysis of a scattering lattice. The momentum exchange probabilities are defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This contrasts with the picture from classical optical wave theory that describes diffraction in terms of the Huygens-Fresnel principle and sums the phased contributions of electromagnetic waves to determine probabilities at detection. This revised picture, termed “Momentum Exchange Theory,” can be derived through a momentum representation of the diffraction formulas of optical wave theory, replacing the concept of Huygens wavelets with photon scattering through momentum exchange with the lattice. Starting with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld and Fresnel-Kirchoff formulas, this paper demonstrates that diffraction results from positive and negative photon dispersions through virtual particle exchange probabilities that depend on the lattice geometry and are constrained by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. The positive and negative increments of momentum exchange exhibit harmonic probability distributions characteristic of a “random walk,” dependent on the distance of momentum exchange. The analysis produces a simplified prediction for the observed intensity profile for a collimated laser beam diffracted by a long, straight edge that lends conceptual support for this alternative picture.
Particle diffraction can be described by an ensemble of particle paths determined through a Fourier analysis of a scattering lattice where the momentum exchange probabilities are defined at the location of scattering, not the point of detection. This description is compatible with optical wave theories and quantum particle models and provides deeper insights to the nature of quantum uncertainty. In this paper the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld and Fresnel-Kirchoff theories are analyzed for diffraction by a narrow slit and a straight edge to demonstrate the dependence of particle scattering on the distance of virtual particle exchange. The quantized momentum exchange is defined by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and is consistent with the formalism of QED. This exchange of momentum manifests the "diffraction force" that appears to be a universal construct as it applies to neutral and charged particles. This analysis indicates virtual particles might form an exchange channel that bridges the space of momentum exchange.
Any discussion of the nature of light must include a reminder that whenever we make the observation of light (photons), we only observe particle-like properties. This paper provides a reiteration that we don't need wave-like properties to scattered photons to describe phenomena such as diffraction or refraction of light. This paper updates the original ideas of Duane, later revived by Lande, which provided a description of light diffraction without making reference to a wave nature. These are updated using terminology more common to quantum electrodynamics which describes the interaction of particles in terms of the exchange of virtual photons. Diffraction is described in terms of an ensemble of distinct, probability weighted paths for the scattered photons. The scattering associated with each path results from the quantized momentum exchange with the scattering lattice attributed to the exchange or reflection of virtual photons. The probability for virtual particle exchange/reflection is dependent upon the allowed momentum states of the lattice determined by a Fourier analysis of the lattice geometry. Any scattered photon will exhibit an apparent wavelength inversely proportional to its momentum. Simplified, particle-like descriptions are developed for Young's double slit diffraction, Fraunhofer diffraction and Fresnel diffraction. This description directly accounts for the quantization of momentum transferred to the scattering lattice and the specific eigenvalues of the lattice based upon the constraints to virtual photon exchange set by the Uncertainty Principle, Δπi = h/ζi.
We have observed both diffractive and diffusive regimes in the transfer of momentum to an atomic beam by a standing-wave radiation field. The momentum transfer was measured by passing a well-collimated beam of sodium atoms through a focused standing-wave laser waist. A narrow velocity distribution beam was obtained by utilizing a supersonic expansion and a two-state system was realized by optically pumping the beam prior to the interaction. The transverse momentum transferred to the atomic beam by the radiation field was measured by scanning a detector downstream from the interaction. The overall momentum resolution of the apparatus is less than the momentum of a single photon. The transition from diffractive to diffusive behavior is associated with an increase in the average number of spontaneous decays occurring during the interaction. In the diffractive regime, spontaneous decay is insignificant and momentum transfer proceeds by pairs of absorption/stimulated emission processes. This produces momentum exchange quantized in even multiples of photon momentum, the so-called Kapitza-Dirac effect; the deflection patterns show oscillatory structure. In the diffusive regime, spontaneous decay is important and causes fluctuations in the radiative forces. In addition, the recoil distribution associated with spontaneous decay results in a washing out of the diffraction peaks associated with stimulated processes, resulting in a smooth deflection pattern.
Using the Fresnel–Kirchhoff integral, we express the state of the light that diffracts from an aperture to a point, by superposition of two or more waves. The amplitudes of the waves are determined by the distances of the point from the ray optics borders of the emerging beams. The interference approach to the Fresnel diffraction leads to a universal formulation of the normalized intensity distribution on the diffraction pattern that determines the state of the incident light, the parameters of the aperture, and its distance from the observation plane, uniquely. In the photon approach, according to the uncertainty principle, confining the position of a photon to an aperture changes the probable propagation direction of the photon in an interval that leads to the diffraction of the photon or light. Thus, the normalized intensity distribution on the diffraction pattern is the probability distribution of a photon. To this probability distribution, a probability amplitude distribution is associated that diffracts similar to a wave in Fresnel diffraction. Applying the introduced approach to the study of the diffraction, from different simple apertures and phase steps, we deduce general behaviors of the Fresnel diffraction and show it is involved in all aspects of light phenomena.