Phys.org: New quantum optics theory proposes that classical interference arises from bright and dark states of light
New quantum optics theory proposes that classical interference arises from bright and dark states of light
New Scientist: A new understanding of causality could fix quantum theory’s fatal flaw
New Scientist: 'Dark photon' theory of light aims to tear up a century of physics
Light is both a wave and a particle – or so we have thought for about a hundred years. Since the advent of quantum physics, light has been understood to exhibit wave-particle duality. One part of this ...
'Dark photon' theory of light aims to tear up a century of physics
Quantum, in physics, discrete natural unit, or packet, of energy, charge, angular momentum, or other physical property. Light, for example, appearing in some respects as a continuous electromagnetic wave, on the submicroscopic level is emitted and absorbed in discrete amounts, or quanta.
So, what is quantum? In a more general sense, the word “ quantum” can refer to the smallest possible amount of something. The field of quantum mechanics deals with the most fundamental bits of matter, energy and light and the ways they interact with each other to make up the world.
Simply stated, light is nature's way of transferring energy through space. We can complicate it by talking about interacting electric and magnetic fields, quantum mechanics, and all of that, but just remember-- light is energy. Light travels very rapidly, but it does have a finite velocity.