Photon Transition - Quantum States & Qubits Step by Step

A photon emitted in a transition carries the exact difference between two energy levels. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

A photon carries the energy gap

For the middle to ground transition, the photon energy is 3/4 of the chosen unit.

E_{\gamma} = \frac{3}{4}

Another gap gives another photon energy

For the upper to middle transition, the photon energy is 5/36. The book uses exact ratios here and does not plug in Planck constant.

E_{\gamma} = \frac{5}{36}

Photon energies follow the level differences

The table lists the two adjacent transitions and the total upper-to-ground transition. Each photon energy is a difference between two allowed levels.

\begin{array}{c|c}\text{case}&E_\gamma\\1&\frac{3}{4}\\2&\frac{5}{36}\\3&\frac{8}{9}\end{array}