Photon wave function

Preprint English OPEN
Bialynicki-Birula, Iwo (2005)
  • Subject: Quantum Physics
    arxiv: Physics::Optics
Photon wave function is a controversial concept. Controversies stem from the fact that photon wave functions can not have all the properties of the Schroedinger wave functions of nonrelativistic wave mechanics. Insistence on those properties that, owing to peculiarities of photon dynamics, cannot be rendered, led some physicists to the extreme opinion that the photon wave function does not exist. I reject such a fundamentalist point of view in favor of a more pragmatic approach. In my view, the photon wave function exists as long as it can be precisely defined and made useful.
  • References (143)
    143 references, page 1 of 15

    √ Z d3k e(k, 1)(cˆ(k, 1)e−iωt+ik·r +cˆ†(k, −1)eiωt−ik·r) Fˆ(r, t) = ¯hc (2π)3 e(k, −1)(cˆ(k, −1)e−iωt+ik·r +cˆ†(k, 1)eiωt−ik·r) . (13.5)

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