A new theory has been developed that explains how light and matter interact at the quantum level, and it has helped scientists figure out the exact shape of a single photon (a particle of light).
Researchers at the University of Birmingham published their findings in Physical Review Letters, showing how photons are created by atoms or molecules and how their shape can be influenced by their surroundings.
This interaction leads to endless possibilities for how light can travel through different environments, but it’s been really hard for scientists to model and understand this behavior. For decades, quantum physicists have been trying to figure it out.
The team in Birmingham was able to organize these possibilities into specific groups and create a model that describes how photons interact with their environment. This model helped them visualize the shape of a photon, something never done before in physics.
Dr. Benjamin Yuen, the lead researcher, explained that their calculations turned what was once an unsolvable problem into something that could be computed. As a result, they were able to produce a visual representation of a photon, which had never been seen before.
This discovery is important because it could open up new possibilities for designing advanced technologies. By understanding exactly how photons interact with matter, scientists could create better technologies in fields like secure communication, pathogen detection, and chemical reactions at the molecular level.
Professor Angela Demetriadou, a co-author, explained that the environment’s shape and optical properties play a big role in how photons are emitted, including their shape, color, and how likely they are to exist.
Dr. Yuen also added that this work helps scientists understand the energy exchange between light and matter better. They can now make use of information that was once considered “noise.” This understanding will help in developing future applications, such as better sensors, more efficient solar energy cells, and even improvements in quantum computing.