Rapid Communication
Describing Photon Emission and Absorption By Means of a Matrix Formalism
M. A. Grado-Caffaro and M. Grado-Caffaro
By means of a matrix formalism, we describe both emission and absorption of photons from electronic transitions. As a matter of fact, we discuss (in matrix form) the main aspects related to the phase experienced by a single photon emitted or absorbed when a single electron undergoes a transition between two quantum energy levels. In addition, as useful figures of merit, we introduce the concepts of maximum and minimum phase gaps for photons
Keywords: Photon emission and absorption; Electronic transitions; Phase; Matrix formalism; Maximum phase gap; Minimum phase gap