Peter Valeri 1 Ep 003 - Basics of Lenses

How Light Travels

Optics 101

Introduction
In this episode, we’re going to discuss how light travels and interacts
with matter. Thanks to our understanding of what light is from the first
video in this series, we can talk about how it interacts with different
surfaces, and, for that matter, what makes a surface different to light in
the first place.
Understanding how light travels will seriously help us when we’re
discussing physical visual artifacts (or defects) like moire and
chromatic aberrations, too. Also very practical things like focal length
and focusing will make a lot more sense when you understand how light
travels.

Quantum Fields
To really be able to understand how light travels, you have to have
at least heard of quantum fields. A field, in essence, is the extension of a
particle in a system of infinite freedom (Kuhlmann). This basically just
means there’s an infinite number of physical spaces for particles to be,
and remember, light is a particle. To put it another way: it’s the most
fundamental element of physics we can describe. It’s what everything is
ultimately made of.

A quantum field is the most fundamental

element of physics.

One of the most helpful resources I could find while studying field
theory was Brian Skinner’s explanation of what exactly a particle is. He
says it’s essentially the propagation of waves through a field. An electron
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is merely a wave in the electromagnetic field (Skinner). As is light, which

is why it is both a particle and a wave.

A particle is merely a propagation of waves

through a field.

So why is all of this information about waves and particles and

fields important for us visual artists? I think it’s fundamental to
understanding why your lens lets light in, but your sensor absorbs it. It
helps you understand everything that’s going on with your camera, again
helping you make more informed choices.
Just as a quick recap, light is essentially the propagation of waves
through the electromagnetic field (in case you’re curious about how
many fields there are, do a quick Google search for the Standard Model).

Interaction of Light with Matter

Now we’re ready to discuss the final point I want to make: the 4 ways
that light interacts with matter (Weisskopf ).
1. Emission - we already discussed this in episode 1, but in case you
didn’t watch that, emission is when an atom loses energy and emits it
as electromagnetic radiation.
2. Reflection - When light “bounces off ” of other forms of matter. It
depends on the type of matter as to whether the light will reflect off
of it. Visible light is either reflected off of us or is absorbed by us, but
X-Ray (a different wavelength of light) passes right through our
skin.
3. Transmission - When light travels easily through a surface. Think
the glass of your lens or eye, or a window. Most visible light passes
right through it. However, when it does, the course of the wave of
light is often altered, known as refraction, and is responsible for the
focal length of your lenses!
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4. Absorption - When light remains inside of the receiving surface.

Think about the charges stoped inside of the sensor of your camera,
or the charges absorbed by the retina of your eye.

Recap
• A quantum field is the most elementary thing we can describe in
physics. It’s what everything is ultimately made from.
• A wave in a quantum field describes a particle in that field. Light is a
wave in the electromagnetic field.
• Light interacts with other types of matter in 4 distinct ways:
1. Emission
2. Reflection
3. Transmission
4. Absorption

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Works Cited

Kuhlmann, Meinard. “Quantum Field Theory.” Edited by Edward N.

Zalta, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 23 Apr. 2015,
plato.stanford.edu/entries/quantum-field-theory/
Skinner, Brian. “A Children's Picture-Book Introduction to Quantum
Field Theory.” Ribbonfarm, 20 Aug. 2015, www.ribbonfarm.com/
2015/08/20/qft/
Weisskopf, Victor F. edisciplinas.usp.br, Universidade De São Paulo,
https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/2330882/mod_resource/
content/0/Weisskopf%20-
%20How%20light%20interacts%20with%20matter.pdf

Further Reading
Interaction of Light with Matter - An article authored by a very
influential physicist, Victor Weisskopf (postdoctoral researcher under
Niels Bohr and Group Leader of Theoretical Division of the Manhattan
Project, for some credentials) that incredibly accessibly describes light’s
interaction with other forms of matter. https://edisciplinas.usp.br/
pluginfile.php/2330882/mod_resource/content/0/Weisskopf%20-
%20How%20light%20interacts%20with%20matter.pdf