Well we know that e.m. radiation induces currents in conductors. Take for example microwave radiation.If it is traveling through a hollow metal waveguide, in the waveguide's walls there will be high frequency induced currents affected by the skin effect.Does light have the same effect?If it does why is it so small compared to other frequencies of the e.m. spectrum? I have an idea but I will keep it to myself right now. Thank You!
2007-04-25 02:15:25 · 2 answers · asked by ignorant 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
On a metal surface, light would have a similar effect (inducing "light" current in the skin), except for the surface charges. From ref. 1, "A metal contains many free or nearly-free electrons. These electrons dominate the electromagnetic (EM) field in the metal and form an EM barrier at the surface. The incoming photon is reflected by this barrier."
However, there is an interesting penetration of metal by light when the metal is in nanoparticle form (ref. 2).
2007-04-27 15:21:49 · answer #1 · answered by kirchwey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wave length of light is very short (400 - 700 nanometres) compared to the size of an electric circuit. If you had an electric circuit less than 700 nanometers, you might get significant voltages induced, otherwise the peaks and troughs of the EM waves are too close together and tend to cancel each other out.
2007-04-25 09:25:46 · answer #2 · answered by Ben O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋