All Questions
10
questions
7
votes
5
answers
14k
views
Light waves can't have a wavelength
The wave nature of light comes from Maxwell's equations. More precisely, the two wave equations that come from them:
$$\Delta\vec{E}=\mu\varepsilon \frac{\partial^2\vec{E}}{\partial t^2}\\
\Delta\vec{...
- 267
0
votes
1
answer
66
views
How to correctly understand wavelength of EM waves?
When we mention wavelength of EM waves, does the wavelength mean vacuum wavelength?
Is the frequency of every scalar component (x, y and z) $c/λ$, no matter whether it's linearly, elliptically or ...
- 69
0
votes
3
answers
474
views
What is the wavelength of light in a practical sense?
Okay, so I know that a wavelength is a distance of crest and a trough added together which makes a whole wave, but what is it in the real sense? Like in the case of sound I know when we say "...
3
votes
4
answers
365
views
Experimental suggestions for size and shape of single optical photon (wavepacket)?
Optical photon is an electromagnetic wave produced e.g. during deexcitation of an atom, carrying energy, momentum and angular momentum difference.
So how is this electromagnetic energy distributed in ...
- 960
0
votes
2
answers
507
views
Wavelength of light in a waveguide
I've done a derivation showing that the wave length of light in a waveguide is longer than that of free space light. But I don't really have an intuitive understanding of why this is. I think my prof ...
- 433
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How can a wavelength be defined for a laser where a photon's travel distance over a pulse duration is less than a wavelength?
Femtosecond laser pulse are widely used in experimental physics. Femtosecond lasers like Nd:YAG systems produce coherent light at wavelength 1053nm. The distance traveled by a photon in 1 fs is 300nm; ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
945
views
What is the relationship between the wavelengths of the energy absorbed by an object and the wavelengths reradiated?
In other words, would the wavelengths of absorbed energy on an object be longer, shorter, equivalent, to the wavelengths reradiated on the object.
- 25
2
votes
2
answers
84
views
Which metals are suitable to make structures in GHz and THz applications?
In GHz applications, Cu is mainly used to make structures and in THz applications Al or Au is used to make structure. Is there a special reason to use these metals in particular wavelengths?
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
52
views
Fresnel equations of reflection applied to microparticles
I wanted to know if the Fresnel equations of reflection, as described here, can be used to calculate the reflectance on the interface of particles which have a diameter near the size of the wavelength ...
- 11
2
votes
0
answers
1k
views
How does a Fresnel rhomb work (half and quarter wave plate)?
How does a Fresnel rhomb work (half and quarter wave plate)?
I am aware of birefringence, which creates a phase shift of $\Delta\phi=\dfrac{2\pi\Delta nL}{\lambda_0}$. But this doesn't explain how a ...
- 713