What happens if two photons crash, can they?
2006-11-15 10:57:04 · 4 answers · asked by Arkane Steelblade 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes they can. Photons interact under the usual rules of quantum electrodynamics although as they carry no charge, photon-photon interactions are not a first-order process and so the probabily of the interaction is quite small. A simple example is pair-production in the electric field of an atomic nucleus, which is the dominant interaction for photon energies above 10MeV.
Photon-photon interactions are expected to be used in a planned upgrade to the International Linear Collider (due 2015 ...) in what is called a gamma-gamma collider.
2006-11-15 11:08:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Photons convey the EM force, but they do not themselves feel the force, so one photon doesn't exert a force on another. Also, they have integer spin, so unlike fermions they have no problem sharing the same quantum mechanical state. So two photons won't bang off each other like two neutrons might.
However, weird things happen at this level, and just as two colliding particles can produce a pair of gamma rays, reverse scenarios are also possible.
2006-11-15 19:07:29 · answer #2 · answered by SAN 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Crash is a bit harsh. They interfere with each other. Look up ' interference lines '. The wave part causes this.
2006-11-15 19:00:35 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing photons, it probably depends what you measure them with. ;P
2006-11-15 19:00:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋