How can we intuitively understand the two aspects of light : its individual quantum nature and the wave phenomena it exhibits ? This article explores an interpretation based on two complementary components of photon dynamics : a longitudinal circulation associated with its energy quantum, and a transverse vibration linked to its helicity. It proposes that their combination generates a perturbation of an underlying substrate, referred to as the phase ocean, of which electromagnetic phenomena would be a manifestation. From Huygens to Einstein, the article traces the major stages in the historical development of wave and corpuscular conceptions of light before examining this new perspective in the context of Young’s double-slit experiment, in which individual impacts gradually form an interference pattern. This approach invites us to reconsider the relationship between the individual photon and wave phenomena. It also opens up a direction for further research : establishing a wave equation describing the dynamics of the phase ocean and enabling an investigation into the origin of interference and individual detection events.
How can we intuitively understand the two aspects of light : its individual quantum nature and the wave phenomena it exhibits ? This article explores an interpretation based on two complementary components of photon dynamics : a longitudinal circulation associated with its energy quantum, and a transverse vibration linked to its helicity. It proposes that their combination generates a perturbation of an underlying substrate, referred to as the phase ocean, of which electromagnetic phenomena would be a manifestation. From Huygens to Einstein, the article traces the major stages in the historical development of wave and corpuscular conceptions of light before examining this new perspective in the context of Young’s double-slit experiment, in which individual impacts gradually form an interference pattern. This approach invites us to reconsider the relationship between the individual photon and wave phenomena. It also opens up a direction for further research : establishing a wave equation describing the dynamics of the phase ocean and enabling an investigation into the origin of interference and individual detection events.
This paper reexamines the concept of phase in the description of light and electromagnetic waves, focusing on its physical meaning and role in theoretical formulations. Although phase is commonly treated as a physically meaningful quantity, particularly in explaining interference phenomena such as the double-slit experiment, this work argues that phase should instead be understood as a mathematical variable introduced for convenience in solving and expressing wave equations, rather than as a physical entity. Electromagnetic waves are fully described by the wave equation, and phase naturally appears as part of its mathematical solution. This paper clarifies that phase velocity can exceed the speed of light without violating causality, precisely because phase does not correspond to the propagation of energy or information. Misinterpreting phase as a physical motion leads to conceptual confusion about the nature of light. Furthermore, the paper explores an intuitive perspective in which light is regarded as a continuous information structure, and examines how this intuition aligns with formal mathematical descriptions. It is shown that interference and related wave phenomena can be explained without assigning physical reality to phase itself, relying solely on the properties of the wave equation. By separating mathematical description from physical ontology, this work aims to refine the conceptual understanding of light and to highlight how terminology and formalism influence our interpretation of physical phenomena.
This paper reviews humanity's understanding of the photon, the evolution of quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics (QED), and analyzes their physical interpretations and philosophical implications. It seeks to elucidate the true nature of the photon by examining the possibility of hidden variables in the double-slit experiment. The wave-particle duality of the photon, as posited by quantum mechanics, appears to me to be less than entirely convincing. By designing a thought experiment involving a photon double-slit setup, I aim to refute the notion that photons generate Coherence, or so-called wave-function superposition, within the light field between the slits and the screen. This endeavour aims to demonstrate the pure particle nature of photons. Furthermore, by examining the wavelength of electromagnetic waves, this paper explores the intrinsic relationship between electromagnetic waves and photons, positing that electromagnetic waves are fundamentally pure particle-waves. Analysis of QED elucidates the potential influence of photon momentum on photon interactions, an effect that may profoundly impact quantum information transmission. To comprehensively describe the mathematical model of photon queues, this paper introduces the concept of a photon train. This metaphor likens photons travelling through space to a train in motion. The distance between carriages is denoted by (d), representing the wavelength of the photon。 Within the "particle train" model of the photon queue, the wavelength λ is defined as the distance d between adjacent photons. This yields a structural equivalence between wavelength and photon spacing: ; . The longer the wavelength (smaller f), the greater the distance d between photons (corresponding to radio waves, where photons are "sparsely" dispersed). The shorter the wavelength (larger f), the closer the distance d between photons (corresponding to X-rays or γ-rays, where photons are "focused"). f represents the frequency of light. In standard physics, frequency is typically defined as the number of oscillations of an electromagnetic field per unit time, expressed by the relationship: . This is directly linked to the energy of a photon. However, although mathematically and experimentally complete, this definition obscures the intuitive informational structure of frequency. In this paper, we introduce a longitudinally structured interpretation: viewing frequency as the manifestation of "front-to-back density" or "longitudinal spacing" of light quanta along their propagation direction. This understanding does not replace the standard physical definition but operates in parallel to reveal frequency's deeper significance in energy transmission and information organization. For simplicity, we denote this approach as the "photon queue/longitudinal serialization (PQ/LS) model". PQ/LS denotes the theoretical framework of the photon queue model. A thought experiment on the conversion rate of quantum information into biological information reveals that, under identical light intensity (equivalent total energy input), the response of living systems is not solely determined by the 𝐼, but strongly depends on the spatial arrangement of the photon queue (where λ approximates the inter-photon distance).Bacterial-level matching of visible-light queues achieves the highest information-transmission efficiency (maximum mutual information and signal-to-noise ratio), thereby enabling dual optimization of energy utilization and rhythmic synchronization. This constitutes the core prediction of the model (PQ/LS): frequency (queue spacing), rather than total power (𝐼) alone, determines the conversion efficiency of quantum information into biological information. The paper explores the non-wave-particle duality of photons through double-slit experiments and double-slit observer experiments. The essence of photons is purely particle-like. The thought experiment of the photon double-slit is pivotal in demonstrating that photons, like other particles such as electrons, atoms, and macromolecules, are purely particle-like. In space, photons can interfere with each other's paths based on their momentum. This can simultaneously alter the trajectory and even the velocity of photons. That is, a photon beam with higher momentum may carry a portion with lower momentum, allowing it to propagate over vast distances. The wavelength of a light wave is fundamentally the distance between consecutive photons as they propagate through space. The longer the wavelength of a light wave, the greater the distance between successive photons, causing them to diverge more widely in space, as observed with radio waves. Conversely, shorter wavelengths result in closer distances between photons, leading to denser emission and highly directional propagation, exemplified by gamma rays. Photons within the visible-light spectrum may occasionally transmit information that carries specific content. This information, conveyed through light quanta, can propagate over distances ranging from several metres to thousands of kilometres. The essence of light quanta: particle queues (PQ/LS) and the profound meaning of frequency: light is fundamentally a sequence of light quanta (photons) advancing in spatial order. Regardless of whether the propagation path is straight or curved, the propagation maintains this queued formation, akin to a continuous jet of water. Within this model (PQ/LS), the wavelength λ of light observed macroscopically fundamentally represents the average distance between successive light quanta. The frequency f (or ν) is inversely proportional to this distance: the closer two light quanta are, the higher the frequency f; the greater the distance, the lower the frequency f. It can be expressed through the classical wave velocity formula: c=fλ. Within the visible spectrum, λ≈0.5×10⁻⁶ metres (500 nanometres). Remarkably, this distance corresponds precisely to the typical dimensions of bacteria (approximately 0.5–5 micrometres). The evolutionary tree of life takes bacteria as its root, while the wavelength of visible light—the fundamental scale for human vision and quantum information interaction—aligns exactly with this root-level dimension. As the product of billions of years of bacterial evolution, our human perception, communication, and even consciousness may possess an intrinsic connection to this "bacterial-scale" queue distance of light quanta. Philosophically, this unification reveals a grander picture: the frequency-distance relationship of the light quantum queue (PQ/LS) not only determines the magnitude of physical energy but also bridges the quantum realm with the origins of life. The evolution of human vision, which aligns precisely with this "bacterial-scale" dimension, suggests that our perceptual systems are rooted in life's most primordial mode of information exchange. As an information carrier, light transforms energy (E = hf) into biological signals, genetic expression, and even the emergence of consciousness—from photons stimulating retinal cells to potential quantum biological processes (such as quantum coherence in photosynthesis or brain microtubules), light weaves an information network between the microscopic and macroscopic realms. Bacterial circadian rhythms, particularly the KaiABC system in cyanobacteria, function as living fossils: they document how visible light quantum queues (PQ/LS) were transformed into ordered biological information programmes during life's earliest stages. This experimental finding not only validates the functional significance of scale consistency but illuminates the earliest step in the evolutionary path from light to meaning—within the unicellular world, light ceased to be mere energy, becoming instead the language of time and the rhythm of information. The relatively poor correlation between archaea and most bacteria in circadian rhythms and responses to visible light, from another perspective, suggests that archaea and bacteria did not originate on Earth but rather within protoplanetary discs or planetesimals. These archaea and bacteria can survive in the harshest natural environments, unaffected by Earth's 24-hour circadian rhythms or visible light. It further substantiates my published theory that life did not originate on Earth. From the bacterial scale to the scale of consciousness: information density remains operative. Within the Photon Quantum Queue Model (PQ/LS), the wavelength of visible light (~0.5 μm interphoton spacing) aligns remarkably with the bacterial scale, suggesting that the informational "foundation" of life's origin is set by the interphoton spacing. As we ascend from single-celled bacteria (scale 0.5–5 μm) to multicellular organisms, nervous systems, and ultimately human consciousness (neuronal scale ~10–100 μm, brain as a whole ~0.1 m), a central question emerges: does this information density, originating from the photon quantum distance, continue to operate at higher scales, bridging microscopic origins with macroscopic awareness? From bacteria to conscious scales: Implications of information density for SETI and the search for extraterrestrial life. An intuitive interpretation of light's nature: Mainstream quantum electrodynamics (QED) views photons as quantum field excitations, where wavelength λ represents the phase oscillation scale associated with a single photon, not the physical distance between multiple photons. This theory deliberately adopts a semi-classical "particle queue" image, directly correlating λ with the average distance between adjacent photons. While not strictly valid in weak-light or single-photon experiments, the theory challenges the orthodoxy that "wavelength is solely a property of individual photons." The theory's stance can be summarized as one of maximizing continuity and wholeness within strict scientific boundaries. Our challenge lies in rejecting the compartmentalization of the quantum realm, the origins of life,
Young’s double slit experiments have been descripted by wave theories, i.e., before and after passing through a double slit, the light is waves. To test the wave description, we extend the double slit experiments to the comprehensive double slit experiments by utilizing Shield, Metal tube, Blocker, Combination of Shield and Blocker with two triangle cuts, Photon-Chamber, and Lens. We propose both “Postulate on light: light is photons before and after passing through double slit” and “Postulate on lens: light behaves same before and after passing through lens”. Then, we show the novel phenomena of the comprehensive double slit experiments: (1) the light is photons, not waves, before and after passing through a double slit; (2) it is the photons that form both the non-interference patterns and interference patterns; (3) the non-interference patterns gradually evolve to the interference patterns in the same experiment. We refer to the novel phenomena as “PhotoWave phenomena” that are universal. The comprehensive double slit experiments provide the novel phenomena for developing theoretical model further to study: (1) the nature of the light; (2) the Feynman’s mystery of the double slit; (3) the wave-particle duality; (4) the wave theories of the light; (5) the quantum theory of matter. A complete explanation is demanded and should describe all the comprehensive double slit experiments consistently.
Young’s double slit experiments have been descripted by wave theories, i.e., before and after passing through a double slit, the light is waves. To test the wave description, we extend the double slit experiments to the comprehensive double slit experiments which are the classical double slit experiments with added either Shield, or Blocker, or Metal tube, or Combination of Shield and Blocker, or Photon-Chamber, or Lens. We propose both “Postulate on light: light is photons before and after passing through double slit” and “Postulate on lens: light behaves same before and after passing through lens”. Then, we show the novel phenomena of the comprehensive double slit experiments: (1) the light is photons, not waves, before and after passing through a double slit; (2) it is the photons that form both the non-interference patterns and interference patterns in the same experiment; (3) the non-interference patterns gradually evolve to the interference patterns in the same experiment. We refer to the novel phenomena as “PhotoWave phenomena” that are universal. The comprehensive double slit experiments provide the novel phenomena for developing theoretical model to study: (1) the nature of the light; (2) the wave theories of the light; (3) the quantum theory of the light. A complete explanation is demanded and should describe all the comprehensive double slit experiments consistently.
The nature of electromagnetic (EM) phenomena, including light, is not fully clear. Postulated rejection of EM ether as a hypothetical habitat and distribution of EM waves, holds in the uncertainty and the problem of understanding the existence of most of these waves, because the notion of "wave" inseparable from the concept of "environment". EM ether, as a hypothetical environment of origin and propagation of EM waves, was declined by postulate. This keeps the uncertainty in the problem of understanding the existence of these waves actually, since the definition of "wave" is an part of the definition of "environment". The input in physics of the concept of wave "coherence", which was necessary to explain the phenomenon of interference of light, also requires a transparent physical interpretation. Today use of the idea of the several-meters - length wave zugs, which are emitted by individual atoms, is at least unconvincing, thus there is technical ability to generate powerful light pulses of 10-15 s. A quantum model of the structure of the optical packet stream, which provides a transparent physical interpretation of all parameters of coherent light, is offered. In this model parameters of coherence are organically linked with the geometry parameters of the quantum packets. Developments of classical wave optics will not be discarded. To coordinate with the quantum-packet model and modern views about the nature of light, we either give them a new interpretation or adjust, or develop these developments. In particular, a new interpretation of the experimental fact increase the radius of coherence of light coming from distant sources (stars) is offered. Modern conception of light corpuscles-photons is formulated. The estimations of the size of the spatial localization of the photon is received. "Diffraction of photons" is considered.
Since the establishment of modern optics, the physical nature of light has been debated for centuries, which finally led to the mainstream theory of waveparticle duality. This theory holds that photons intrinsically possess both particle and wave properties, and it is adopted to interpret diverse optical phenomena including rectilinear propagation, polarization, interference and diffraction, forming the fundamental framework of modern quantum optics. Nevertheless, the theory of waveparticle duality contains inherent logical defects. Its essential flaw lies in confusing two completely distinct physical concepts: the intrinsic properties of a substance itself and the morphological features of its motion trajectory. Conventional theories mistake the apparent waveshaped trajectory produced by particle motion for the intrinsic wave property of microparticles, resulting in persistent conceptual ambiguity, missing physical mechanisms and logical inconsistencies within microoptics. This paper constructs an optical underlying model from a purely particle perspective to clarify the real mechanism behind waveparticle phenomena of light. A photon is an indivisible, nonspreading, nontrailing pointlike physical particle with no intrinsic wave property. While propagating, a photon travels along a fixed straightline direction and undergoes inherent transverse oscillation within the plane perpendicular to its propagation direction. At the moment of its generation, a photon uniquely fixes its transverse oscillation angle, amplitude and frequency within the 360degree plane perpendicular to its travelling direction. Once determined, these parameters remain constant throughout propagation without random shifts or arbitrary changes. Superposition of the photon’s longitudinal rectilinear motion and fixedangle transverse oscillation generates a standard sinusoidal trajectory. Consequently, all wavelike features observed in optics are geometric apparent effects originating from particle motion trajectories, rather than material properties intrinsic to photons. Based on this model, this paper reinterprets the core physical mechanism behind doubleslit interference. Contrary to the traditional explanation of photon selfinterference or wavefield superposition, interference fringes arise from microscopic mechanical interactions between transverselyoscillating photons and slit walls when photons pass through the slits. Such interactions regularly deflect photon flight angles. After being deflected and filtered by slits, large numbers of photons form uneven statistical distributions on the receiving plane and produce macroscopically observable lightanddark fringes. This paper also defines the threshold for photonphoton interactions. Ordinaryenergy photons such as visiblelight, infrared and ultraviolet photons do not interact, collide or exchange energy with one another in free space. Only gammaraylevel highenergy photons may collide, undergo energy annihilation, and convert into material particles such as electronpositron pairs. Relying entirely on classical mechanical superposition principles and discarding the contradictory hypothesis of waveparticle duality, the proposed purelyparticle model provides selfconsistent explanations for core classical optical phenomena and achieves analytical revision for the underlying logic of optical waveparticle phenomena.