Non-photonic

The adjective 'non-photonic' describes something that is not related to, does not involve, or does not produce photons. Photons are elementary particles that carry electromagnetic radiation, including light. Therefore, 'non-photonic' signifies a realm or phenomenon that operates outside of the direct interaction or emission of light. This term is primarily utilized in scientific and technical contexts, encompassing fields such as materials science, quantum mechanics, and astrophysics. It's frequently used when discussing processes, systems, or energy transfer mechanisms that do not rely on the generation or absorption of light particles. The absence of photons implies alternative means of energy transfer, information transmission, or interaction within a system. This could involve sound waves, heat transfer, or interactions mediated by other types of particles, such as electrons or neutrinos.

Non-photonic meaning with examples

• The study of dark matter often investigates non-photonic interactions, as dark matter doesn't emit or absorb light. Scientists employ detectors capable of sensing weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) as a potential non-photonic dark matter candidate. Unlike the photoelectric effect, these interactions involve forces that do not emit photons, therefore the energy transfer in the system is not tied to light.
• In certain quantum computers, information is stored and processed using quantum bits (qubits) that rely on non-photonic methods. These qubits might utilize properties of atomic nuclei or other quantum systems that aren't directly linked to photon interactions. The manipulation of these qubits, such as through magnetic fields, presents alternative pathways for processing information compared to photon-based optical methods, which are photonic.
• Within the context of nuclear reactions, the energy released can sometimes be a product of non-photonic byproducts. For example, neutrino interactions, which are very difficult to detect because they rarely interact with matter. The majority of neutrinos are produced by the decay of neutrons inside atomic nuclei, thus not photonic. These particles are generated without the emission or absorption of photons.
• Heat transfer via conduction is a non-photonic process because the energy transfer occurs through direct molecular collisions, without any involvement of light. Likewise, the thermoelectric effect converts temperature differences directly into electricity through electronic interactions, bypassing the photon based methods. Unlike light, heat conducts.