Any EM-field in terms of photon

In summary, the most general electromagnetic field can be described in terms of photons using quantum electrodynamics, a relativistic quantum field theory. The free electromagnetic field can be quantized by fixing the gauge completely, such as the radiation gauge, and using the canonical commutation relations for the field operators. Photons are bosons and can be described as continuous numbers of independent harmonic oscillators. The theory can be further studied through quantum optics and textbooks such as Modern Quantum Mechanics by J.J. Sakurai and Quantum Optics by M.O. Scully and M.S. Zubairy.
  • #36
olgerm said:
I don't think any of my learning has been hinder by insufficient knowledge in QM, but by not understanding meaning of brakets, operators, and commutivity.

I don't understand how you can have sufficient knowledge of QM if you don't understand bras and kets, operators, and commutativity, since all of those are basic concepts that are used to describe QM. And, as has already been noted, QM textbooks all go into these subjects. If you work through a QM textbook and find difficulty in understanding something specific it says about bras and kets, operators, or commutativity, you can start a new thread asking about that specific thing. Asking for someone to explain, in general, bras and kets, operators, and commutativity is asking for someone to give you a course in QM, which is way beyond the scope of a PF discussion. If you want such a course, you need to go take one, or find course materials online (for example, MIT's Open Courseware) and work through them.

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<h2> What is an EM-field?</h2><p>An EM-field, short for electromagnetic field, is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It consists of electric and magnetic components that are perpendicular to each other and oscillate at right angles to the direction of energy propagation.</p><h2> What are photons?</h2><p>Photons are the fundamental particles of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. They are massless and travel at the speed of light. They have both wave-like and particle-like properties, and carry energy and momentum.</p><h2> How are EM-fields and photons related?</h2><p>EM-fields and photons are closely related as photons are the particles that make up EM-fields. EM-fields are created by the movement of photons, and photons can also be absorbed or emitted by charged particles within the field. They are both integral parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.</p><h2> Can EM-fields exist without photons?</h2><p>No, EM-fields cannot exist without photons. The two are intrinsically linked, and the presence of EM-fields is a result of the movement and interaction of photons. Without photons, there would be no electromagnetic radiation, and therefore no EM-fields.</p><h2> How do EM-fields and photons interact with matter?</h2><p>EM-fields and photons can interact with matter in a variety of ways. They can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted by different materials, depending on the frequency and energy of the photons. This interaction is what allows us to see, as our eyes are sensitive to the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum.</p>

FAQ: Any EM-field in terms of photon

What is an EM-field?

An EM-field, short for electromagnetic field, is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It consists of electric and magnetic components that are perpendicular to each other and oscillate at right angles to the direction of energy propagation.

What are photons?

Photons are the fundamental particles of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. They are massless and travel at the speed of light. They have both wave-like and particle-like properties, and carry energy and momentum.

How are EM-fields and photons related?

EM-fields and photons are closely related as photons are the particles that make up EM-fields. EM-fields are created by the movement of photons, and photons can also be absorbed or emitted by charged particles within the field. They are both integral parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Can EM-fields exist without photons?

No, EM-fields cannot exist without photons. The two are intrinsically linked, and the presence of EM-fields is a result of the movement and interaction of photons. Without photons, there would be no electromagnetic radiation, and therefore no EM-fields.

How do EM-fields and photons interact with matter?

EM-fields and photons can interact with matter in a variety of ways. They can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted by different materials, depending on the frequency and energy of the photons. This interaction is what allows us to see, as our eyes are sensitive to the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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