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Subject:
Physics
Category: Science > Physics Asked by: drbaker-ga List Price: $15.00 |
Posted:
10 Aug 2003 07:34 PDT
Expires: 09 Sep 2003 07:34 PDT Question ID: 242111 |
What is the equation, and values of the constants and parameters in that equation, for determining the force in Newtons on a mirror occasioned by the reflection of a single photon of frequency f or wavelength L? |
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Subject:
Re: Physics
Answered By: hedgie-ga on 10 Aug 2003 22:15 PDT |
We can imagine the reflection of a single photon as ball bouncing from a wall. Here are the basic constants and equations http://www.pa.msu.edu/~duxbury/courses/phy294H/lectures/lecture37/lecture37.html The force therefore will be function of the time F(t), being zero before the hit and after the hit, and having complex shape during the collision. Details of the shape depend on material of the mirror and geometry of the experiment. So there is not a single number, giving answer in Newtons. Summation of force over time will add up double momentum of the photon p=h / wavelength which is in N * s . Here is a simulation of the process: Reflection of a photon wave packet on a mirror up. Reflection of a photon wave packet on a mirror. http://quantum.quniverse.sk/buzek/simulations/Mirror.html Experiments involving single photons are difficult, but feasible and recently of interest with applications in quantum cryptography. http://focus.aps.org/story/v8/st7 http://physicsweb.org/article/news/5/12/6/1 The detailed process as function of time depends on the state of the atom involved in the collision. physics.okstate.edu/summy/publications/jpb29.pdf history of the effect (light pressure) http://www.europhysicsnews.com/full/07/article4/article4.html Search Term single photon photon momentum, reflection, |
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Subject:
Re: Physics
From: snsh-ga on 10 Aug 2003 12:02 PDT |
Momentum of a photon is h/lambda, where h=6.626*10-34 Joule-seconds. To get force, you have multiply momentum by the number of photons/second hitting the mirror. And double it to account for reflection. Or are you talking about relativisitic effects? |
Subject:
Re: Physics
From: snsh-ga on 12 Aug 2003 05:12 PDT |
Now that I think about it more, I think there's too much probablistic heisenbergish uncertanty eigen quantum crap involved with single photons bouncing/reflecting off a mirror. I would say "force is not meaningful for single photons." Momentum you can solve for, force you can't. |
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