- #1
bwana
- 82
- 2
By coherent photons, I mean ones that are in phase (like what comes out of a laser). I would guess that they can be no closer than the size of the atom that emitted them. If adjacent atoms simultaneously emitted photons, that would give the minimum separation. For the photons to be any closer, the atoms would have to be staggered. But then they would be offset in the direction of light travel and result in phase differences.
Is there a way to measure this? It would require sensors more closely packed than the wavelength. I was reading that only recently have metamaterials been developed where patterns can be inscribed in metal smaller than a wavelength.
Is there a way to measure this? It would require sensors more closely packed than the wavelength. I was reading that only recently have metamaterials been developed where patterns can be inscribed in metal smaller than a wavelength.