Origins and Development of Photon Science

A particle of light, a discrete bundle of electromagnetic energy.

A perfect absorber of all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of frequency or angle of incidence.

Relates the power radiated by a hot body to its temperature.

Describes how the maximum intensity of emitted radiation from a blackbody changes with temperature.

A discrete quantity of energy; the smallest possible unit of energy.

The theory describing the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels.

The distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave.

The number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point per unit time.

Energy transmitted through the electromagnetic field, with light a form of it.

The absolute constant speed at which light waves travel in a vacuum.

Devices that produce a highly focused and coherent beam of light, often used for cutting, drilling, and other applications.

Early Greek thinkers proposed that sight involved visual rays emanating from the eyes.

Photons interact with matter, transferring energy to electrons.

Photonics is used in diverse fields like telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and more, using laser light.

Describes the relationship between a blackbody's temperature and the wavelength where it emits the most energy.

The wavelength at which a blackbody emits the most electromagnetic radiation.

A measure of the heat of a star's surface.

The distribution of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by an idealized object that absorbs all incident radiation.

The combination of two waves where the crests overlap, resulting in a larger amplitude.

The distance between two corresponding points of a wave, like two crests.

Hotter stars emit more radiation at shorter wavelengths and appear bluer.

Cooler stars emit more radiation at longer wavelengths and appear redder.

The spreading out of waves as they pass through a narrow opening or around an obstacle.

Diffraction occurs when the size of the opening or obstacle is comparable to the wavelength of the wave.

Diffraction requires the incident wave to have a higher amplitude than the slit width.

Decreasing the slit width makes diffraction more dramatic, increasing the angle of wave spreading.

Decreasing wavelength (or increasing frequency) has a similar effect to increasing slit width, decreasing the diffracted angle.

Occurs when the source and screen are far from the obstacle, resulting in parallel rays.

Occurs when the source and screen are close to the obstacle, resulting in diverging rays.

A graphical tool used to compute and predict Fresnel diffraction patterns.

A device with many parallel slits that produces detailed diffraction patterns by acting as multiple point sources of light waves.

A formula used to calculate the angles at which light waves diffract through a grating, considering the number of slits, the wavelength of light, and the spacing between slits.

Diffraction is used to create detailed images of internal organs and structures by analyzing how sound waves bend and scatter within the body.

Diffraction plays a role in how light signals travel through optical fibers by determining how light interacts with the fiber's core and cladding.

While both involve the interaction of waves, interference occurs due to the overlapping of multiple waves, while diffraction arises from the bending of waves around obstacles.

Camera lenses are designed to minimize the effects of diffraction, which can cause blurring and reduce image sharpness, especially at higher magnifications.

The interaction of multiple waves, where their superposition creates a pattern of bright and dark lines.

Diffraction involves a single wave interacting with an obstacle or opening, while interference involves the superposition of multiple waves.

The study of light and its interaction with matter, using traditional optical components (like lenses, mirrors, lasers) for applications like optical fibers and lasers.

Builds on conventional photonics, using advanced technologies like nanodevices and metamaterials for novel applications, including quantum computing and optical radars.

Conventional photonics focuses on traditional optical components, while advanced photonics utilizes newer, more sophisticated technologies and applications.

Conventional photonics is used in areas like telecommunications, medical lasers, and scientific instruments.

Advanced photonics opens up possibilities in fields like optical computing, quantum communication, high-resolution medical imaging, and solar energy.