Photons as momentum-energy eigenmodes

Michael Mazilu

doi:10.1117/12.826152

10 September 2009 Photons as momentum-energy eigenmodes

Michael Mazilu

Proceedings Volume 7421, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? III; 74210Q (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826152
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Optical micromanipulation offers a unique insight into light-matter interaction at the mesoscopic level within the classical framework. The optical forces used in this process originate from the conservation of energy and momentum during an optical interaction. They can be determined through the use of the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor which describes the flux of momentum and energy. However, can we use this direct opto-mechanical interaction to further our understanding of the classical nature of photons? In this paper, I generalize the momentum energy tensor and determine its eigenmodes for a given scattering object. These eigenmodes decompose the classical electromagnetic field into modes that have formally similar properties to those associated with photons i.e. modes with uniquely defined energy, momentum and polarization. This classical interpretation of photons is put forward and discussed in the context of small scattering particles. When a single photon is scattered from an object, transferring its momentum, is its final state one of the momentum energy eigenmodes? Potential experiments are discussed that could confirm this assumption in the case of single photon optical trapping and verify the "classical" nature of the photon.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Mazilu "Photons as momentum-energy eigenmodes", Proc. SPIE 7421, The Nature of Light: What are Photons? III, 74210Q (10 September 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.826152

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available