relationship between electrons and photons

On Mar 29, 9:19 am, [Only registered users see links. ] wrote:


That's and interesting idea, but the problem is that the energetic
extension of a photon is quite limited (compared to say Field Theory
which theoretically has an extension to infinity) Photons are "energy
packets" and hence by definition (an measurement) are quite limited
in dimensional extent. The photo electric effect demands this. Hence
even if one admits of an interference with the matter in the walls of
the slits, an extension to reach the second slit does not seem
reasonable. Likewise atoms are also relatively compact in energy
distribution.


I am in complete agreement with this statement. The only problem,
however, is just HOW that "least action" somehow ends up with a double
slit diffraction pattern. This is an interesting problem given the
limited energy spatial distributions of photons.

And There is one more thing as well to think about. And that would be
the mixing of metaphors (or theories in this case). If one admits that
EM waves (light, radio waves etc.) are all photons, then that implies
that the "electromagnetic equilibrium" of which you speak is ALSO
composed of photons! Whoa! Now that opens a can of worms, does it
not?

On 29 mar, 13:46, Benj <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote:

Absolute agreement. Very limited transverse extent.

I would say localized quantum of energy rather than energy packet.


Definitely not, and physically impossible if the photon is localized
as it moves, which is my conclusion, in sync with de Broglie, in
fact.


Yes. On the same scale as photons crossing the slits.


I gave much thought to this. I even played with a double slit
apparatus way back (Pasco made, if I recall). The distance between
the slit wall and the target must be finely adjusted in relation with
the frequency used for the pattern to appear.

Since the particles in the walls of the slits are immobilized (except
for local vibration related to ambient temperature) they can only
force
exactly the same deflection to all photons crossing at a given
coordinate
through the window of a slit, and will force a slightly different
deflection
to any photon crossing at a coordinate even slightly different.

What seems to be happening is that over a period of time, incoming
photons will have crossed a slit window at just about all possible
coordinates. The same for all photons crossing the other slit.

It seems to me that the pattern is determined by the geometry
of the particles making up the walls of the slits.


Or of massive particles with EM structures similar to that of
photons,
which may well be the case.


Sure does. It was de Broglie who hypothesized a possible internal
EM structure for photons, which when understood can then also
be applied to massive particles (electrons, positrons, quarks up and
down).

André Michaud

NB. I really appreciate that you seem to try to paint as complete
a picture as possible to newbees. A rare commodity here.