All detection theories are basically the same including the photoelectric effect. Quantization happens in the detection process. The electromagnetic fields out in free space re not quantized if you believe in Maxwell's equations. Alexander never responded to my explanation that photons do not exist in free space. Just solve Maxwell's equations for a simple propagated laser beam and there is no bunching. For a single frequency the wavetrain is infinite. Yet a detector can measure photons in such a beam with less than infinite spatial uncertainty. The solution for the waves are known exactly including diffraction if the beam has edges. There is no indication of any photons in the solution. Photons are a quantum effect that only has credence when the electromagnetic waves interact with media.

• Richard, you should take QED equation of charge. - alexander - October 30, 2001 - 16:33 UTC
  • Lorentz Transformations??? - luis_hamburgh - October 30, 2001 - 22:52 UTC