wyef

Thanks, do the photons observed at the close of the experiment maintain their orignal direction? Or, is that unknown at this time? It appeared to me reading the articles that this would indicate a delay in the path of the light/photon.

Trying to find the article again, but found many referring to the study by a man named wilson. I am new to this forum and do not know how to paste in a url address, but nature.com was one of the sources. In the study a "virtual" mirror was vibrated to simulate mirrors, and yes it is the casimir effect. Apparently after stopping light (or photons) came out of the mirror after the fact. I note there is speculation articles on todays search that seem to claim this study indicates our grasp of the speed of light in vacuum is wrong or off slightly. My question may be unanswerable at this time, but each of the articles I have read indicate that the photons return is visible or detectable depending on the writer, which prompted me to ask if it resumes its direction. A second related question would be if any natural photons or light do this during the lights travel over a large distance.

yes, as I understand it, or more correctly do not understand it, One of the links I read, talks about making part of the light (or photons) pop out, then changing the relationship it had with others using mirrors, thus preventing its link or relationship. The result then appears to be the mirror reflects a light that is no longer there, making it appear to come directly from the mirror. I was interested in the direction of the light compared with the origional source. I note its not a real mirror, but some type of virtual mirror, but the light was supposedly real.

probably should have said direction rather than duration. I was attempting to ask the direction of the light observed in recent articles on experiments. Apparently in a vacuum photons pop into existence, and photons pop out of existence. In the recent articles the photons existed long enough to detect as visible light (possibly only to equipment, article not specific on what was meant by visible). I may be making an incorrect assumption that some existing photons also pop out of existence. Curious on whether light travelling in a direction through space loses some photons via this effect, and then do the photons return.

does light (photons etc.) pop out of existence, then return, at the same location and still travelling in the same direction? I note articles saying photons do pop into existence enough to be visible, tho no mention of duration of the light.