On the first quantization and quantum diversity of photons

verfasst von: Boris Chichkov
Abstract: Quantum theory of photons based on the first quantization technique, similar to that used by Schrödinger in the formulation of quantum mechanics, is considered. First, scalar quantum mechanics of photons operating with the photon wave functions is discussed. Using the first quantization, the wave equation, the Schrödinger-like equations, and the Dirac equation for photons are derived. Then, vector quantum mechanics of photons is introduced, which defines the electromagnetic vector fields. Using the first quantization, the Maxwell equations for photons in a magneto-dielectric medium are obtained. Because the photon's electric and magnetic fields satisfy the Maxwell equations, all that is known about the classical optical fields can be directly transferred to photons demonstrating their quantum diversity. Relationships between the scalar and vector quantum mechanics of photons and between the Dirac and Maxwell equations are analyzed. To describe the propagation of photons in dispersive media, modified Maxwell equations are introduced.
Organisationseinheit(en): Institut für Quantenoptik
PhoenixD: Simulation, Fabrikation und Anwendung optischer Systeme
QuantumFrontiers
Typ: Artikel
Journal: Advanced Photonics
Band: 7
ISSN: 2577-5421
Publikationsdatum: 18.08.2025
Publikationsstatus: Veröffentlicht
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Elektronische, optische und magnetische Materialien, Atom- und Molekularphysik sowie Optik, Biomedizintechnik
Elektronische Version(en): https://doi.org/10.1117/1.AP.7.5.055001 (Zugang: Geschlossen)

BibTeX

@article{445f9709f04144348646151fdf433b8f,
title = "On the first quantization and quantum diversity of photons",
abstract = "Quantum theory of photons based on the first quantization technique, similar to that used by Schr{\"o}dinger in the formulation of quantum mechanics, is considered. First, scalar quantum mechanics of photons operating with the photon wave functions is discussed. Using the first quantization, the wave equation, the Schr{\"o}dinger-like equations, and the Dirac equation for photons are derived. Then, vector quantum mechanics of photons is introduced, which defines the electromagnetic vector fields. Using the first quantization, the Maxwell equations for photons in a magneto-dielectric medium are obtained. Because the photon's electric and magnetic fields satisfy the Maxwell equations, all that is known about the classical optical fields can be directly transferred to photons demonstrating their quantum diversity. Relationships between the scalar and vector quantum mechanics of photons and between the Dirac and Maxwell equations are analyzed. To describe the propagation of photons in dispersive media, modified Maxwell equations are introduced.",
keywords = "dispersive media, first quantization, optics, photonics, photons, wave function",
author = "Boris Chichkov",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Authors.",
year = "2025",
month = aug,
day = "18",
doi = "10.1117/1.AP.7.5.055001",
language = "English",
volume = "7",
journal = "Advanced Photonics",
issn = "2577-5421",
number = "5",
}