Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: jwowdon on 13/03/2010 00:22:30

Title: What would happen ?
Post by: jwowdon on 13/03/2010 00:22:30

What would happen if we managed to catch a light particle in a cube of six mirrors ? ( so that it had no means of exit) [???]

Title: What would happen ?
Post by: flr on 13/03/2010 17:18:47

I would assume you have perfect (ideal) mirrors which reflect 100% of the light and does not adsorb the light at all.

The "trapped" photon will reflect inside the cube for a while, then (to your surprise) it will leave the cube by quantum tunneling.

Title: What would happen ?
Post by: yor_on on 19/03/2010 00:03:35

Would it would wave a cheery goodbye first?
That was a nice take on it Flr :)

Considering it only would exist in its interactions, assuming a perfect vacuum inside it, and also should have both the ability to be superpositioned (2 places same time) and superimposed, meaning that you would have a he** of a time proofing it was only one, I suggest you leave it be, free. Caged photons become grumpy, that's my experience :)

Slippery, that is what they are, always making mischiefs. Can't trust a photon, that's what I always say.

Title: What would happen ?
Post by: Geezer on 19/03/2010 02:24:39

Quote from: yor_on on 19/03/2010 00:03:35

Slippery, that is what they are, always making mischiefs. Can't trust a photon, that's what I always say.

They certainly seem to have multiple personalities.