Does this question make sense in the quantum world? Imagining a single photon (w

Question

Does this question make sense in the quantum world?

Imagining a single photon (wave packet?) interacting with a single atom (its electrons etc) how do we currently describe/define the emitted photon in terms of its direction in relation to the incoming photon?

Now "scaling up" to a surface of atoms actually reflecting "light" according to the simple reflection rules like angle-in equals angle-out how do we manage to explain this effect in terms of the quantum world? How comes the probabilities work out for the out-going angle depending on the incoming-angle?

Explanation / Answer

Not a full answer, but remember that any issue with path of particle must be done with a sum-over-paths (think it's called a Feynman integral) approach. I don't even think that ?i=?r is necessary for a single photon; it's only when we get multiple photons that interesting things happen.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse D
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.