Liftetime of photons in matter

[oyvindo]

Let's say we have a photon. When moving in vacuum it has speed c. Due to mr Lorentz it will experience a time t=0 in its own referance frame no matter how far it travels. Is this right? So relative to itself the photon has a lifetime of zero?

If so, how is this affected when it is not in vacum? I know we see it as moving slower because the dieletric constant is different, but how does the photon see it? Is this in anywayrelated to referance frames?

 

[Hootenanny]

Firstly, photons do not truly have a definable reference frame. Secondly, photons always travel at c, they do not slow down in other mediums. The FAQ in the general physics forums would be a good place to start, there is an article in there, which addresses this misconception.

 

[Entropia]

Yes, it is correct that in its own reference frame, a photon experiences a time of zero no matter how far it travels. This is because, according to Einstein's theory of special relativity, time dilation occurs when an object is moving at the speed of light. This means that time appears to slow down for the photon itself.

When a photon is not in vacuum, its speed is affected by the properties of the medium it is traveling through. This is due to the interaction between the photon and the particles in the medium. As a result, the speed of the photon is reduced and it takes longer for it to reach its destination compared to if it were traveling in vacuum.

The concept of reference frames is closely related to this phenomenon. Each observer has their own reference frame, which is their own perspective of time and space. In the case of a photon, its reference frame is unique because it travels at the speed of light and experiences a time of zero. This is different from the reference frame of an observer who is stationary and experiences time passing normally.

In summary, the lifetime of a photon in matter is affected by its speed and the properties of the medium it is traveling through. Its unique reference frame, where time appears to stand still, is a result of its constant speed of light. This concept is fundamental to understanding the behavior of photons and their interactions with matter.