Hi all.

A question someone might help me with:

Considering a metal reflective surface such as polished aluminum and the photoelectric process most articles suggest that a electron at the air metal interface absorbs a single photon raising the electron to a higher state and it is ejected from the surface of the metal, assuming the work force of the element has been overcome. These emitted electrons are known as photo-electrons. BUT no where does it suggest how the photo-electrons become photons again as the surely must to achieve Light Speed and continue on as reflected light. Does this photo-electrons reference sound like a cop-out to you?

I can find no references to this latter process can anyone help to allow me to finish my dissertation? Or has any comments on the above process.

Tony

ARtone,
>BUT no where does it suggest how the photo-electrons become photons again...

I can't help you but, I have a question.
What is your bases for saying that the photo-electron becomes a photon?
It is my understanding that the metal gives up an electron (if it absorbs an photon with enough energy to overcome the work force) and that this loss on electron in the metal plate causes it to become positively charged. I was not aware that the freed electron would became a photon. (other than simple reflection of incoming photons).

Hi Paul h

It is the simple reflection that I am concerned with. Surly all photons hitting a polished plate will be reflected?

>Surly all photons hitting a polished plate will be reflected?

Perhaps I missed the boat here. I thought that while most would be reflected, some would be absorbed and re-emitted as the photo-electron that you were asking about. I understood your OP question but as I said "I was not aware that the freed photo-electron would became a photon". That is why I ask you "What is your bases for saying that the photo-electron becomes a photon?"
Please explain.

Hi Paul, ARtone,
The photoelectric effect says that if the energy of the light source is higher than the work function of the metal it is incident upon, the metal will eject an electron (sometimes called a photo-electron). This electron absorbs all of the energy of the photon (conservation of energy), so, no photons are 'reflected. The number of photo-electrons released is directly proportional to the intensity of the beam (an electron is ejected for each photon that has energy higher than the work function of the metal). The confusion may be in the use of the photoelectric effect in florescent bulbs and other such applications. In these situations it is the interaction of the photo-electron with the gas in the tube that gives off light (the color is dependent on the gas).
Hope this helps,
Peace,
Ron

As long as it is a electron being reflected/created it has 'invariant mass' and are able to create photons. That photon in its turn lacking 'invariant mass/rest mass' should not be able to create ..stable.. invariant mass particles I think. So for the electron to be able to 'expire' only into a photon.. Nah, don't think so. But both are 'bearers' of energy and will be noticed by space time, and you too depending on frequency..

Hi all

Sorry but I worded the original question badly as there is no specific name for the process of reflection from a polished metal surface such as aluminum. I used the photo electric effect as an associated effect which must have a bearing upon reflectivity.

If we take a metal which is not reflective then of course the photo electric effect comes into play, however if the metal is highly polished then the incident image is reflected to some viewer. It is this process of total reflection that is of interest and what happens to a photon as it hits a polished reflective surface. As a sub question one could ask "what is happening to a Matt surface when it is polished to become reflective?" what happens to the atomic surface? for instance are the atoms existing only in part?

Hope this explains my question better.

Tony

ARtone,
A good clarification. I will back out quickly on this, because the mechanics of mirrors get over my head. I have several optics books from when I was studying telescope mirrors. I do know that reflection (as with mirrors) are discussed and measured in terms of light waves not photons. (there may of course be exceptions to this) but... Allot of my discussion here has been in just how to think of light, It's a wave,, no a photon. It is hard for me to get around this head ache. I give up and just think it's a photon/wave. (as with space/time). I know others here will help you. so i'll just go sit down over here in the corner somewhere.


Read ya latter.