sci.physics.electromag

Frank and alt.sci.physics:

franklinhu@yahoo.com wrote:
[...]
> Think for a moment - has this exact experiment ever been done? It is
> spoken about as if it had been done, but our photon detectors are no
> where near 100% efficient (which would be required to detect single
> photons). Some experiments claim to detect single photons, but without
> 100% efficiency, I don't see how that is possible. I heard that the
> equivalent experiment using electrons was executed in the early 70's,
> but not that it had been peformed yet with light. So we may all be
> confused about something that hasn't been shown to experimentally
> happen - it only happens in our imagination according to quantum
> mechanics.





Prior to 1960, so my college course in human factors engineering science
related, the individual photon had been visible as a discrete entity
event under experimental conditions. The receptor cell of the eye needed
to be charged with four photons, which were not visible, and the fifth
photon enabled the activation of the retinal cell which, via cascading,
resulted in a signal that registered as a visible event. The location of
the photon source, that was optically identified on a specific retinal
cell, was called out by the subject observer at the time and place of
the projection of the photon. Numerous instances of the photon events
were recorded and also statistically noted. The speculation at the time
was that Planck's Constant was operative, however, that had not been
experimentally demonstrated and proved.

That was for visible photons. Other energy level photons, e.g., xray,
radio, uv, ir, gamma, or possibly gravity were not evaluated.

One possible error in the photon particle/wave issue is that the photon
has not been identified as a discrete existent. Many of the properties
and measurements of the photon are known, however, the photon has mostly
been discussed as a flow or as waves of many photons in science. A
nano-science of photons is needed; one that identifies the properties of
individual photons, and also in a relationship with other selected entities.

Then the double-slit experiment may be performed. The accurate aiming of
the photon is also required. Facts will be facts, and all presumptions,
assumptions, wishful theories, and prevarications aside, some of the
fundamental properties of the photon may be more accurately identified
and measured.




>
> According to my models, light can only exist in waves, so it would be
> impossible for a "photon" to only pass through one of the slits. The
> photon is a wide wave like a ripple in a pond and the only way to stop
> the photon from reaching the other slit would be to block it since it
> will physically reach it. Once again, we only get a confusion if we
> assume light can be a localized particle - which it cannot and assume
> experiments have been performed - which they have not.
>




You can't prove that the photon is not a discrete existent and that the
appropriate experiments are not possible.

What facts exist that indicate that the photon actually exists?

The photon science should start from the basic facts.

Ralph Hertle