Questions tagged [electromagnetic-radiation]
Propagating solutions to Maxwell’s equations in classical electromagnetism and real photons in quantum electrodynamics. A superset of thermal-radiation.
5,633
questions
0
votes
0
answers
5
views
What actually happens when light goes into a waveguide?
I have only dealt with a rudimentary theoretical treatment of how light propagates inside a waveguide, such as those available in Griffiths.
One thing bugging me is that I still do not know how ...
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
About the notation for TEM waves
I just came across this article where the term "$\mathrm{TE}_{101}$ microwave mode" is mentioned. Other than the basics of TEM waves which I learned in Griffiths, this is the first time I ...
13
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Why does the length of an antenna matter when electromagnetic waves propagate perpendicular to the antenna?
The optimum length for a dipole antenna is a multiple of half the wavelength that it is designed to receive or emit. Why is this? If an electromagnetic wave has E in the x-axis, B in the y-axis, and ...
1
vote
0
answers
22
views
Double refraction - Direction of propagation of extraordinary wave inside the birefringent medium
I am reading Optics by Ajoy Ghatak, in which the author explains the phenomenon of double refraction in a calcite crystal using Huygens' principle. My query is in the analysis of the case of normal ...
-1
votes
0
answers
49
views
What is the electric field strength of a photon? In $\rm V/m$ or $\rm N/C$? Or its magnetic field in Gauss or Tesla? For visible light, or gamma rays? [closed]
I am thinking of this now because I have been learning about the Schwinger limit (or Schwinger effect)...
Supposedly, a strong-enough electric and/or magnetic field creates a 'nonlinear' effect in the ...
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
Why does radiation of small wavelength interact with small objects?
I was reading chapter 2 from the book 'Diagnostic Radiology Physics : A handbook for Students and Teachers', and came across the following quote
"X rays of energy of a few tens of ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Solarization Spectrum
I'm looking to better understand the relation between the spectrum of the light which induces solarization in glass and the spectrum of the induced absorption.
More specifically, I'm interested in ...
3
votes
3
answers
179
views
Photonic black holes
"Can a photon turn into a black hole?" - usually the answer to this question is - it can't, because it has zero rest mass. However, when we derive the Schwarzchild Metric initially the $2M$ ...
1
vote
1
answer
45
views
Is it possible for both electric and magnetic fields to have longitudinal component in a rectangular waveguide?
I know a rectangular waveguide cannot support TEM waves, but supports TE and TM waves. In the TE mode, $E_z=0$ and in the TM mode, $H_z=0$ (where propagation direction is along the $z$-axis). I want ...
0
votes
0
answers
95
views
How to compute the diffraction efficiency of a thin phase grating with arbitrary groove shape?
From Magnusson and Gaylord (1978), the wave amplitudes, $S_i(z)$, of $p$-polarized light for a thin, arbitrary phase grating are given by the equation
$$
\frac{\partial S_i}{\partial z} + \gamma \sum_{...
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
Confusion regarding phase
As far as I know about phase if the phase difference between two waves is positive, the former is leading..and the latter is lagging. Then why has D J Grifith stated this?
If the phase of the magnetic ...
6
votes
2
answers
581
views
Could a transparent frequency-altering material be possible?
I would imagine a material that is transparent but a electromagnetic wave going out will have a lower frequency than when going in (and maintaining it's direction). You could build glasses to see UV-...
1
vote
1
answer
39
views
Can an optical medium be lossless and dispersive?
Occasionally, I come across the phrase "lossless dispersive linear optical medium". How can such a medium be possible mathematically? I mean the real and imaginary parts of the electric ...
3
votes
1
answer
101
views
About electron radiation frequency in Heisenberg's 1925 paper
In Heisenberg's 1925 article Quantum Theoretical Interpretation of Kinematic and Mechanical Relations, one of the first things he establishes are the form of the frequency functions in (what I assume ...
11
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Can the laser light, in principle, take any wavelength in the EM spectrum?
Can the laser light, in principle, take any wavelength in the EM spectrum? I don't think there is what prevent this in principle, right?