Does A Newtonian Prism Split Up The Wave-Function Of White Light Into Composite Wave-Functions ?

[petrushkagoogol]

A prism that splits light into say, 7 colors, acts as a energy differentiator (energy is quantized : E=hf where f is frequency), which creates temporary wave-functions for vibgyor frequencies.

 

Once the prism is withdrawn, the energy differentials disappear, and the Master wave-function i.e. White Light reappears.

 

Agree or disagree ?  :vava:

[Vmedvil2]

Actually, it doesn't change the frequency but rather the wavelength, but when the prism is gone the wavelength change is gone.

[petrushkagoogol]

Actually, it doesn't change the frequency but rather the wavelength, but when the prism is gone the wavelength change is gone.

 

• Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional ........ v=fλ
• I am trying to introduce the prism as a "quantum mechanical device", with the ability to split wave-functions  :xmas_tree:

[exchemist]

 

• Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional ........ v=fλ
• I am trying to introduce the prism as a "quantum mechanical device", with the ability to split wave-functions  :xmas_tree:

 

Yes it is a QM device. The  glass of the prism is polarisable. This causes it to tend to couple to the electric vector of the radiation. What this means is the bonding electrons in glass tend to move a bit, in synch with the variation of the electric field from + to - and back as the wave passes.

 

This in effect "borrows" (and then returns) energy from the radiation temporarily as it passes, altering its phase velocity. If the frequency of the light is near an absorption band for the material in question (in glass there is one in the UV), then the closer in frequency to the absorption band the light is, the stronger the coupling. This results in the phase velocity becoming different for different frequencies - what we call dispersion.  (At the absorption frequency itself, the coupling becomes so strong it causes the electron to jump to a higher orbital, absorbing the light. So the material becomes opaque at that frequency.)

 

As there is an absorption band in the UV for glass, the phase velocity of blue light is reduced more than red. This results in blue light being bent through a bigger angle than red as it enters a glass prism. 

 

This is a QM effect.

Edited September 18, 2018 by exchemist