Is information lost when a photon is absorbed?

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Thread starter wywong
Start date Aug 15, 2019
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Information Lost Photon

In summary: The real question is whether information can be destroyed in quantum mechanics as a result of an irreversible event.

Aug 19, 2019

wywong

I now fully understand. Thanks folks. Really appreciate your help.

<h2>1. What happens to the information carried by a photon when it is absorbed?</h2><p>When a photon is absorbed, its energy is transferred to the absorbing material. This energy can cause an electron to move to a higher energy state, or it can be converted into heat. The information carried by the photon, such as its wavelength and direction of travel, is no longer present in the absorbed photon.</p><h2>2. Is the information lost forever when a photon is absorbed?</h2><p>No, the information is not lost forever. The energy of the absorbed photon can be re-emitted in the form of a new photon, carrying the same information. This process is known as photon emission or fluorescence.</p><h2>3. Can the information from an absorbed photon be retrieved?</h2><p>Yes, the information can be retrieved through various techniques such as spectroscopy, which measures the energy and wavelength of emitted photons, or through imaging techniques that capture the direction and intensity of emitted photons.</p><h2>4. Does the information carried by a photon affect its absorption?</h2><p>Yes, the information carried by a photon can affect its absorption. The absorption of a photon depends on its energy, which is determined by its wavelength. Different materials have different absorption properties, so the information carried by a photon can determine whether it will be absorbed or not.</p><h2>5. Can the information carried by a photon be changed during absorption?</h2><p>No, the information carried by a photon cannot be changed during absorption. The energy of the photon is what determines its information, and this energy is transferred to the absorbing material without alteration. However, the information can be changed or manipulated after absorption through processes such as fluorescence or emission.</p>

Related to Is information lost when a photon is absorbed?

1. What happens to the information carried by a photon when it is absorbed?

When a photon is absorbed, its energy is transferred to the absorbing material. This energy can cause an electron to move to a higher energy state, or it can be converted into heat. The information carried by the photon, such as its wavelength and direction of travel, is no longer present in the absorbed photon.

2. Is the information lost forever when a photon is absorbed?

No, the information is not lost forever. The energy of the absorbed photon can be re-emitted in the form of a new photon, carrying the same information. This process is known as photon emission or fluorescence.

3. Can the information from an absorbed photon be retrieved?

Yes, the information can be retrieved through various techniques such as spectroscopy, which measures the energy and wavelength of emitted photons, or through imaging techniques that capture the direction and intensity of emitted photons.

4. Does the information carried by a photon affect its absorption?

Yes, the information carried by a photon can affect its absorption. The absorption of a photon depends on its energy, which is determined by its wavelength. Different materials have different absorption properties, so the information carried by a photon can determine whether it will be absorbed or not.

5. Can the information carried by a photon be changed during absorption?

No, the information carried by a photon cannot be changed during absorption. The energy of the photon is what determines its information, and this energy is transferred to the absorbing material without alteration. However, the information can be changed or manipulated after absorption through processes such as fluorescence or emission.