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Truncated Photon
Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 033601 – Published 15 July, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/94pm-hp34
Abstract
An elementary particle such as a photon cannot be cut in two pieces. Still it must be possible to truncate a photon with an optical shutter. The result is neither another photon nor a mix of a photon and a vacuum. Instead it is a superposition and mix of photon numbers up to infinity. This state is rather complicated, but nevertheless locally equivalent to a single photon or vacuum to the left and right, respectively, of a narrow transition region.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
synopsis
Cutting the Tail of a Photon
Published 15 July, 2026
Removing a mirror while a single photon is in the process of reflecting creates a quantum state of countless photons, theorists say.
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