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Scattering of light by a strong electric field is called Delbrueck=20
scattering. It is observable when a photon scatters from the field
of an atomic nucleus. See Jauch and Rohrlich, "The Theory of Photons
and Electrons", section 15-8. In terms of Feynman diagrams, the
incoming photon splits into an electron-positron pair, which must
interact with the static field not once but twice (or more), then
recombine to form the outgoing photon. What we call a "photon", you
see, is really a seething bundle of virtual particles, including
electron-positron pairs that can be deflected by an electromagnetic
field.
Yes, but single photons refrain from doing so for reasons of
discretion and simultaneous energy and momentum conservation *in
free space*. Delbr=FCck scattering requires an interlocutory atom
to mediate the momentum problem.
=20
I took the original question to refer to the deflection of a
photon in an electric field. Nothing was said about the presence
of another object; if that is allowed why not just add a
gravitational field; that works - or perhaps a Venetian blind.
=20
How come no one attacks my symmetry argument for nondeflection?
I thought it was pretty cute; I'd like to know if it has any
holes in it.
=20
Leigh
=20
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