Title :
The phase noise spectrum and structure of photons?
Author :
Underhill, Michael J.
Author_Institution :
Underhill Res., Lingfield, UK
Abstract :
This is a speculative paper based on the EM evanescent wave model presented in the 2009 IFCS-EFTF conference [1]. It is about photons in free space. We can measure the spectral line width and frequency of a source of photons. Higher measurement accuracy is obtained by integrating many photons over a sufficiently long time. Then we see a continuous source with an oscillator like spectrum. An individual photon is assumed to have the same spectrum. The structure of a single photon is proposed to be a cylindrical rod or `arrow´ of EM energy with finite length and diameter. The length is assumed to be the reciprocal of the spectral line width times the velocity of light. The photon has a finite volume in which the energy density is approximately uniform. The proposed cross-section is a circular radial transverse electric evanescent wave as seen on the non-radiating Goubau single wire transmission line. However for the photon there is no centre conductor to support the photon wave. The radius of the arrow is assumed to be proportional to the square root of the photon frequency as is found for the energy surrounding a Goubau line. The energy of a photon is its frequency times the Planck constant. The energy density is taken to be approximately constant within the cylindrical shape of the photon. Thus the energy density per Hz (at the peak of the spectrum) is independent of the photon length. It is inversely proportional to the cross-section area. But thermal noise per Hz per square metre of a surface is assumed to be kT, (Boltzmann´s constant times the absolute temperature). Note that this is possibly a new assumption. It is based on observations of thermal noise captured by an antenna of known beam width and capture area. When the peak energy density of the photon falls below the total (thermal) energy density (kT) we postulate that the photon is no longer stable and will lose its structure and `evaporate´. It will merge with other adjacent photons to form a continuum- of energy, but the continuum will still have the line spectrum of the original photons. We find that there is a critical frequency, proportional to the square root of temperature, below which photons cannot exist as particles. A rough estimate of the critical frequency is given. It is based on observed the few available measurements of transverse EM coupling and the Goubau line critical radial distance at various frequencies.
Keywords :
constants; phase noise; photons; quantum theory; spectral line breadth; Boltzmann constant; Goubau line; Planck constant; absolute temperature; circular radial transverse electric evanescent wave; critical frequency; electromagnetic coupling; electromagnetic energy; electromagnetic evanescent wave; energy density; free space photons; nonradiating Goubau single wire transmission line; phase noise spectrum; photon frequency; photon structure; spectral line width;
Conference_Titel :
EFTF-2010 24th European Frequency and Time Forum
Conference_Location :
Noordwijk
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4673-5970-2
DOI :
10.1109/EFTF.2010.6533701