Different Perspective on Blue Sky Theory: Theory of Single-Photon Scattering on Bound and Free Electrons

Abstract: We present a theory of light scattering consistent with modern physics. We proposed a spatial-temporal model of a photon based on classical model of atomic oscillator. Using this photon model, we established a criterion for single vs multi-photon irradiation of matter. We demonstrated that the assumption that induced dipole radiation can be of infinitely small power is inconsistent with quantum mechanics. We proposed the energy criteria for scattering of a photon on single and multiple atoms and free electrons. This criterion revealed the limitations and applicability of Rayleigh's and Thomson's models of scattering. According to our theory, light scattering is a threshold process, and the scattering can only take place for those photons with wavelengths shorter than some threshold. Using our model, we computed the loss of energy by a photon with wavelengths longer than the scattering threshold during interaction with bound and free electrons. We showed that a single photon can lose energy in collisionless interaction with atoms, molecules, and free electrons. The new theoretical model predicts the red shift of photon wavelength resulting from such interactions. In particular, it provides an explanation for the blue color of sky and an alternative explanation for the cosmological red shift.

• The paper challenges classical light scattering theories by proposing a new photon model based on quantum mechanics, addressing limitations in explaining phenomena like the blue sky.
• Authors introduce a spatial-temporal photon model with finite extension and an irradiance criterion distinguishing single from multi-photon interactions.
• The theory suggests low-energy photons lose energy when scattering, producing a redshift that could potentially offer an alternative explanation for cosmic and atmospheric phenomena.

A Revisitation of Light Scattering Theories: An Examination of Single-Photon Interactions

The paper "Different Perspective on Blue Sky Theory: Theory of Single‐Photon Scattering on Bound and Free Electrons" offers a novel theoretical framework for understanding light scattering by employing modern physics principles. Authored by V. V. Semak and M. N. Shneider, this work critiques traditional scattering models while proposing an innovative photon model that adheres to quantum mechanical principles.

The authors challenge Rayleigh's and Thomson's classical scattering theories, which assume that electrons bound within atoms emit light at infinitesimally small intensities. Such assumptions, as indicated by the authors, contradict the fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics—chiefly, the discrete nature of photons. Central to this paper is the assertion that electromagnetic wave amplitudes must be finite and influenced by the quantized energy states of photons, a deviation from classical continuum mechanics.

Key elements of the paper include:

• Photon Model: The authors propose a spatial-temporal model of a photon, defining it not merely as a point or wave but as a structured entity with finite extension, requiring a specific energy threshold for interactions with matter. This model contradicts classical optics' view of continuous electromagnetic waves.
• Single vs Multi-Photon Interactions: Semak and Shneider derive a criterion to demarcate conditions of single and multi-photon interactions. This criterion is predicated upon the irradiance threshold, necessitating a reassessment of traditional scattering theories for low-intensity light interactions, such as sunlight or unfocused laser light.
• Energy Loss and Red Shift: The paper elucidates how low-energy photons lose energy when traversing media, producing a redshift not accounted for in traditional models. This effect potentially reinterprets the blue sky's color and offers an alternate explanation for the cosmic redshift observed in astrophysical phenomena.

The authors argue that the inapplicability of existing scattering models necessitates a fundamental rethink, especially for cases involving single photons. Importantly, they identify the limitations of Rayleigh's theory for explaining the sky's blue hue, presenting instead a model where only photons within a specific UV threshold scatter effectively. As these high-energy photons traverse the atmosphere, they lose energy, which manifests as a redshift, ultimately affecting observed colors.

This paper posits broader implications for fields such as astrophysics and atmospheric science. If validated, the proposed theoretical framework may obligate reinterpretations of observations related to scattering phenomena. Furthermore, the notion of photon structure independence from a wave-like representation calls for substantial adjustments in quantum optics' foundational theories and experimental practices.

Future research, as encouraged by the authors, should investigate empirical validations of their model through rigorous experimental methodologies. High-precision spectroscopic measurements of scattered sunlight and cosmic observations can serve as pathways to affirm or refine the proposed hypotheses. The authors emphasize the need for a nuanced understanding of incoherent scattering, a field they find lacking comprehensive exploration. Thus, their work paves the way for more generalized scattering models compatible with quantum mechanics across all intensity levels.

In conclusion, this paper challenges the established paradigms of light scattering by marrying classical mechanics with quantum principles in an innovative photon model. By advancing a theory grounded in modern physics, Semak and Shneider's work encourages a re-evaluation of fundamental light-matter interactions and inspires future inquiry into both terrestrial and cosmic phenomena.