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What happens when you try to chop a photon in half?

Tech 1 source 1 country 🔦 Under-reported 40m ago

Under normal circumstances, a photon—defined as a single particle of light—cannot be divided. However, because a photon is not a localized particle but rather an extended object that lacks a specific location, researchers can explore what happens when the light is interrupted mid-process.

Specifically, this involves manipulating a photon while it is only partway through reflecting from a perfect mirror by yanking the system.

While individual photons are fundamentally indivisible whole units of light, investigating their extended, non-localized nature through physical interference provides deeper insight into the complex behaviors and properties of light particles.

In-depth summary · AI, neutral
Read the full story at the source Ars Technica · US
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