A single photon, since it travels at the speed of light, exists at a single point in time. Time does not change for a single photon. Time change in relativity is proportional to (c**2-v**2)**(1/2). The closer particle speed "v" is to C, the speed of light, the slower is the flow of time. Aging slows down. If the particle reaches the speed of light, time stops for that particle. Since photons travel at the speed of light, time does not change for photons.

The fact that photons do not experience time has nothing to do with my seeing them. The double slit experiment does not involve a human seeing a photon. It involves the detection of a single photon behind the screen containing the slits. The paradox is that no photons can be detected at certain points, and the equivalent of more than one photon are detected at other points.

Using your analysis, that the photon has time to go through both slits, you would only ever see one photon. To explain the double slit experiment, you have to explain the interference pattern of a single photon interfering with itself. Your analysis has no interference in it.

Regards,

Richard

• Have to think about that - dolphin - February 14, 2002 - 08:37 UTC
  • Thanks(nt) - yanniru - February 14, 2002 - 15:11 UTC