Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: Expectant_Philosopher on 28/12/2014 15:52:16

Title: What happens to light in an infinite frequency doubler loop?
Post by: Expectant_Philosopher on 28/12/2014 15:52:16

In a frequency doubler the frequency of the light wave is doubled while the wavelength is halved.  If an apparatus could be made to loop the lightwave back into the input of the doubler what would be the effect on the lightwave as the serialized number of events approaches infinity?

Title: Re: What happens to light in an infinite frequency doubler loop?
Post by: Colin2B on 28/03/2015 12:10:43

Quote from: Expectant_Philosopher on 28/12/2014 15:52:16

In a frequency doubler the frequency of the light wave is doubled while the wavelength is halved.  If an apparatus could be made to loop the lightwave back into the input of the doubler what would be the effect on the lightwave as the serialized number of events approaches infinity?

As any apparatus has loss you would get infinite loss.
Every practical apparatus also has bandwidth limitations, which is more loss.
Infinite loss+more loss= ...........

Of course, you could build amplification into your doubler, but that would also have bandwidth limitations.

Title: Re: What happens to light in an infinite frequency doubler loop?
Post by: alancalverd on 28/03/2015 16:00:41

Something of a practical problem: doublers use the electronic properties of solids to interact with photons. As the photon energy increases (shorter wavelengths) the electron interactions get weaker and we move through the x-ray spectrum towards gamma rays that will zip straight through your gadget without touching the sides!

You might be interested in the Free Electron Laser - there are a number of such projects around the world, aimed at producing high intensity tuneable x-rays.