Photon Reflection
By Thomas Abshier, ND
- The most classic case of photon reflection occurs in a mirror of polished metal,
a type of material and surface which reflects all the frequencies of light and a
large percentage of the incident photons.
- A “polished surface” implies a metal-air interface that is free of atomic irregularities
in comparison the dimensions of a visible photon (typically a 1:10 ratio of irregularity
to wavelength is considered insignificant). The atomic orbital diameter is 1-2 nm,
while the wavelength of visible light is 400-700nm. An irregular surface presents
a greater number of angles where the photon can penetrate the metal and be absorbed.
Scattering is reflection, but reflection without uniformity in relationship to the
incident beam.
- Solid State Conduction theory holds that metals, when in a bulk metallic state, bond
together in such a way so that their valence orbitals share with other atoms with
little or no energy required for the exchange in position. This lack of energy to
produce movement in the free floating electrons of atoms comprising a bulk metal
create the ability of the metal to be a near resistanceless conductor for heat and
electricity. And, the easy movement of the electrons makes metals an excellent mirror
to photons. The perpendicular movement of the conduction electrons, with little
energy being transferred to the bonds or orbitals of the metal, allows the reactive
field created by the photon able to reflect backwards and recreate the photon as
a specular (equal angle of incidence and exit) reflection.
o In insulators a large a large gap of energy exists between the valence electrons
and the energies of the amount of energy the electrons would need to have to be free
of the bonds of the atomic nuclei and their orbitals, and be able to function as
the metallic type of free electrons that were able to carry current like a metal.
Insulators do not have a metallic shine to them unless they are polished smooth,
in which case they have angles of incidence where they reflect light strongly at
near perpendicular angles. Such an effect is probably due to electrons which were
in a higher energy state due to their surface tension type of bonding and could respond
in a manner similar to the way metals do because of that configuration.
o Semiconductors have a smaller gap than an insulator (.5-1 electron volts to get
to the conduction band energies as opposed to 4 or more ev for the insulators). Semiconductors
conduct a little bit because of their smaller gap of energy needed to get them to
move electrons. But, the energy is still too large for low resistance current flow.
Silicon and Germanium are examples of semiconductors. These metals are not shiny
and silvery reflective like the more conductive metals like Silver.
· The Gap and Conduction Layer theory of photon reflection by polished metallic surfaces
holds that metal atoms have a sea of “conduction-band” electrons which are bound
to the nucleus in the outer reaches of its effect. The energies that these electrons
can hold as per the rules of quantum mechanics are so numerous as to effectively
allow every electron in that orbital band to acquire virtually any quantum of energy
up to the point of ionization.***
- Thus, the electrons in this band can move easily from one atom to the next if they
have been given a quantum of activation energy that has given them a kinetic energy
above the ground level. ***Since they do not have to follow the orbital pathway
strictly, because of the large latitude in the allowable energy they can hold, they
can travel in a linear trajectory for some distance before they will reach the limits
of their allowable positions, as per the quantum mechanical effects of space.
- Thus, an orbital electron given a unit of activation energy could travel a distance
under the influence of this kinetic energy, and in the process come close to other
electrons that are in the conduction band. The repulsion of the other electron will
decelerate the incoming electron, and the kinetic energy field associated with the
incoming electron will jump to the next electron and accelerate it forward.
- This chain reaction type of passage of energy through the conduction band electrons
gives metals the ability to conduct electricity and heat with great ease. If a voltage
source is attached to a conductor, a metal wire will serve as a conductor in a circuit.
- In photon reflection, the conduction band electrons polarize via a combination of
the forward-moving kinetic energy field of the photon, and the E Field of the incoming
photon. Since the photons of visible light are large compared to the size of an
electron orbital or molecular bond (1-2 nm compared to 400-700nm), the energy of
the incident photon striking a mirrored surface is spread out over many electrons,
and many bonds, in a metallic or non-metallic surface.
- If the photon strikes an opaque, non-metallic interface, and if it makes it past
the surface (by striking a roughened surface or at an angle that is more favorable
to penetration), then the photon will be absorbed by the orbitals that are capable
of activating and absorbing that particular photonic energy.
o Aside: Note: the size of the photon is large compared to the size of the increment
of orbital increase that would be supplied by a quantum of energy that would ionize
an atom (separate it from the orbital system), or raise an electron orbital from
one discreet quantum level to the next (i.e. from a non-conduction band orbital to
a higher orbital).
o But, if the energy of the photon is equivalent to an increment of energy that is
“absorbable” by the allowed quanta of the orbital electrons, a single, comparatively
small orbital could absorb the entire energy of the comparatively large photon.
o This is remarkable that a large photon of the proper energy could interact with
the electron and be fully absorbed by an electron orbital whose size is so very much
smaller.
o Consider the issue of wavelength vs. orbital size being the factor producing resonance.
Obviously this is not the case since the size of the two is so greatly disparate,
that the photon wavelength does not resonate with the size of the increment of orbital
activation.
o But, consider the magnitude of the energy contained in the photon compared to the
increment of allowed activation energy. This factor does appear to be the primary
consideration in producing resonance between photon and orbital.
o Given that the photon has a large size, and it transfers its energy to a single
electron orbital of a very small size, the uncertainty of location of the focal point
of the photon’s energy at any moment may allow the photon to interact with the photon
and focus its energy at that one spot, and thus transfer the activation energy to
the electron orbital.
o The exact mechanics of this interaction are ambiguous, but the evidence is strong
that a single orbital electron will absorb a photon with energy content equivalent
to the energy differential of an allowed quantum increment between orbitals.
- Again, considering the mechanism of photon reflection in a metal, the outer orbitals
are sufficiently poorly bound, and far away from the nucleus, that they form a sea
of electrons in the conduction band with essentially no quantum energy barrier existing
between increments of activated energy. Thus a photon of any energy could strike
the metallic surface and be momentarily absorbed by an orbital electron.
o A non metallic surface will have a pronounced reduction in reflection by having
a roughened surface. The reduction in photonic reflection implies that the photon
is more likely to be absorbed into a medium when the interface does not present a
smooth surface. The reason for the increased absorption, and reduction in reflection,
is that a smooth surface allows the photon to more easily separate the perpendicular
and horizontal component of the photon. As a result of the irregular surface, there
is a greater chance that the horizontal and vertical component of the photon will
penetrate the medium.
- When the photon strikes a metallic conductor, it accelerates an electron. The kinetic
energy field created by the impact of the photon creates a reactive field exactly
opposite to the perpendicular photon component. But, since there is no media (metal
or non-metal material) into which the photon can impact to create an opposing photon
on a smooth surface, there is no reactive field produced against the parallel component
of the photon.
- Thus, when the reflective media polarizes, and reflects back its perpendicular field
component, the photon re-creates itself and bounces back off, at an angle of incidence
equal to the angle of exit.
- Thus, an understanding of why there is a metallic vs. non-metallic distinction regarding
reflection. The difference in reflection between these two media has to do with
how susceptible the surface electrons are to being polarized, at all angles. If
the electrons can be given an acceleration, they can produce a reflected perpendicular
field. The reversal of this one velocity component of the photon will produce a
photon that reflects in the manner commonly observed.
- Once the kinetic energy of the photon has been reversed and launched, the backward
force on the media must be distributed through the entirety of the mass. The conservation
of energy dictates that the total energy of the system prior to the collision must
equal the energy afterwards. Thus, the amount of velocity given to the electron
must have been small, since the conservation of momentum dictates that he momentum
was likewise conserved. And, while the electrons can move easily, there is in fact
a resistance to acceleration which the photon encountered. The energy of the photon
was completely absorbed, in that the increment was in the conduction band. But,
the electron still had to be accelerated, and given the difference in the photon’s
rate of acceleration vs. the rate of the DP polarization. Thus, there will be a
delay in the actual velocity being imparted to the electrons. Thus, the reversed
photon power flow will happen before very much energy is transmitted to the electron.
- The question is then, given this phenomenon of the reversed/reflected power, how
could any electron actually absorb the energy of an incoming photon?
o The answer to this is that when the electron is impacted by the energy of the incoming
photon, that the energy is completely absorbed instantly. In other words, the electron
that can absorb the energy of the photon will suddenly simply “have” that energy.
It is an instantaneous possession. The space of the orbital electron is able to
hold that energy properly, and rather than the electron physically accelerating to
hold that energy, instead the electron is simply holding the energy in that space.
The acceleration associated with the having the extra energy quantum attached to
it is only related to how much velocity the particle has at each moment compared
to the energy it has and the distance it is from the nucleus. The question of velocity
and energy and distance is almost irrelevant at this point because of the quantized
nature of the energy, mass, and position.
- The question is then, given that the metallic electrons are actually occupying orbitals
of authorized space, why is it necessary to accelerate them?
o The answer to this question is that at the surface of metals, there is an edge
effect that puts these electrons in a more bonded position than the electrons in
the inner bulk area of the media.
o Thus, the electrons that the photon hits at the interface are going to be bonded,
accelerated, and produce a reactive field. It is this reaction field that will cause
the rebounding/reflected photon of the vertical photon component.
- The question is then, what about the internal reflection; what is the mechanism of
the photon being reflected internal to the bulk of the media?
o The answer to this is that when the heavier atoms and molecules vibrate to carry
the photon, they travel at a particular velocity throughout the time they are passing
through the bulk of the media.
o When the photon gets to the edge of the internal interface, going to a lighter,
more rapid conducting media, the electrons at the edge attempt to transfer their
energy to the lighter media, e.g. DPs. But, if the second media is lighter, has
less inertia, and responds quicker, then it will respond differently than the first
media as it attempt to transfer energy. This mismatch will cause the first media
to continue in its direction longer and keep pushing to transfer its energy. But,
since the energy of the first media is not transferred, it will recoil backwards
by the attraction of the nuclei and internal bonding of the first media. The result
is a reflection internal to the first media, due to its inability to transfer it
well to the lighter second media.
- Internal to the metallic media, energy travels at near the vacuum speed of light.
And, while no electrons travel at the speed of light, the slight movements of electrons
allow the kinetic energy field of the energy supplied to accelerate the first electron
in the wire connected to the battery or generator.
o Since there is no energy barrier to overcome for all of the electrons in the metallic
conduction band, any energy held by any activated electron will be unconstrained
to the vicinity of any single orbital. A unit of activated energy applied to a single
photon will move throughout the metallic media. The energy will not be restrained
and contained in a single orbital, as happens to energy trapped in activated orbitals
by the discreet energy gaps separating the allowable energies of non-metals.
o The activated energy of an orbital electron of a non-metal thus, maintains its
location until random forces or the natural variability in location due to the random
quantum locating effect moves the electron out of its place of being stuck holding
the activated energy of an orbital. Typically the activated orbital will decay after
a period of 10-8 seconds. When the electron is sufficiently out of the radius and
velocity corresponding to its Bohr orbital, it cannot sustain the energy of activation.
At that point, the orbital decays and radiates a photon in the direction tangent
to its current orbital position.
- But, the activated electron of the metal atom in the conduction zone will not lose
its energy to a photon if it moves outside of the position corresponding to its Bohr
radius and velocity.
o All electrons can hold the energy of activation held by any one electron. Thus,
the electron is free to come into contact with other electrons in the conduction
zone, repel them, and have the kinetic energy field of the electron continue on in
the linear manner that kinetic energy demands.
- Note: the particular orbital energy (activated or ground level) is constrained by
the fact that the orbital energy of the electron must maintain an exact quantum of
energy to keep from radiating energy.
o When a non-metal orbital electron, i.e. an orbital required to maintain a discreet
energy, attempts to follow the tangent of its orbit and diverge from the allowable
radial position associated with the orbital quantum energy, space itself will redirect
the kinetic energy field to conform to the path of the allowable orbital.
o While strictly true for electrons in the metal’s conduction band, the result of
adding a quantum of energy to one of the electrons in the conduction band will produce
a chain reaction of action. The activated electron is free to follow the tangent
directed by their kinetic energy fields until they get to the position dictated by
the quantum mechanical restrictions of space.
o Every electron stays within the orbital space allowed by its quantum of energy,
but if an impulse of energy is applied to a conduction band electron, it will follow
the kinetic energy field from the applied impulse. And, when the energy was supplied,
it would continue to pass that energy on to another electron that came in close proximity.
Thus, the energy that passed to the metal initially would continue in the same direction
through the metal, passing form one electron to the next.
- Energy can be supplied to a metallic media via thermal collisions from a high temperature
metal. The more rapidly vibrating atoms placed in proximity to the colder metal
will transfer impulses of energy from the high energy source to the lower energy
sink. The more energetic electrons and lattice vibrations will transit through the
metal with ease because of the availability to acquire even small increments of energy
and transmit that energy to the surrounding electrons in the metallic lattice.
- Considering reflection in mass collisions: The same considerations of reflection
occur between heavy atoms and light atoms, in that some energy is transferred forward,
and some energy is transferred backwards.
o For example: a light atom striking a heavy atom will bounce backward, while transmitting
some energy to the heavier atom. Likewise, a heavier atom will continue on in the
same direction after collision with a lighter atom, but its velocity will be slower.
o The analogy is somewhat obvious as to how light undergoes a phase reversal when
striking a slower conducting medium, and undergoes no phase reversal when reflecting
off a faster conducting medium.
- Returning to our examination of the metal being struck by a photon, the impulse of
energy provides acceleration to a group of conduction band electrons associated with
the area intersected by the photon. Each of the electrons moves forward, and creates
a reactive field in response to the photon’s forward force.
o Thus, the reactive field will generate a reflected photon that will reassemble
to form the reversed perpendicular component. It reassembles with the continued
propagation of the parallel component to produce the reflected photon.
- Thus, depending on how the energy is engaged at the surface, the incoming photonic
energy will be absorbed, continue on as a photon in a transparent refractive medium,
or reflect if the energy interacts strongly enough to accelerate the orbital electrons
and produce a reactive photon.
- The question is thus, what is the operative mechanism that stimulates reflection
vs. absorption or refraction. The obvious issue is the nature of the interface.
Since both metallic and non-metallic surfaces reflect, this is not the determinative
factor. But, a strong clue is that the metallic surface reflects at all angles,
whereas the non-metallic surface is highly dependent upon the angle.
