No, we are not about to rehash the photo-electric effect and its explanation by the great Albert Einstein. This photon bombardment effect was of course disgracefully his only Nobel Prize award. In case you (and I) haven't been keeping up to date, here is a brief heads up on the now "classical" physics of the different photo-molecular effect, which concerns another mechanism contributing to evaporation.
This discovery is actually profound with its applications to cloud physics and desalination.
I admit I came across this somewhat accidentally, despite having a continuing interest in cloud physics (not cloud chambers!), because of the complete failure of climate modelling (in particular cloud formation) used in the biggest financial scam of our times. Check your electricity bills! As an aside, hopefully Cosgrays must also have been following the work on cosmic rays and the application to cloud physics by Henrik Svensmark. Internet searches can provide further information if interested.
Specifically on the recent discovery at MIT of the photo-molecular effect, I'll attach some quick read cut/paste text below FYI.
Further, here is a nice video (with an advert) :
--TonyP
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Photomolecular effect: Visible light interaction with air–water interface
Guangxin Lv, Yaodong Tu, James H. Zhang, and Gang Chen
Contributed by Gang Chen; received November 27, 2023; accepted March 8, 2024; reviewed by Xiulin Ruan and Shannon K. Yee April 23, 2024
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2320844121
We use 14 different experiments to demonstrate the existence of the photomolecular effect: photons in the visible spectrum cleave off water clusters from air–water interfaces. We use laser to study single air–water interfaces and show polarization, angle of incidence, and wavelength dependent responses, peaking at green where bulk water does not absorb. Raman and infrared absorption spectra and temperature distribution in air show the existence of water clusters under light. We suggest the photomolecular effect provides a mechanism to resolve the long-standing puzzle of larger measured solar absorptance of clouds than theoretical predictions based on bulk water optical constants and demonstrate that visible light can heat up clouds. Our work suggests that photomolecular evaporation is prevalent in nature.
The astonishing new discovery could have a wide range of significant implications. It could help explain mysterious measurements over the years of how sunlight affects clouds, and therefore affect calculations of the effects of climate change on cloud cover and precipitation. It could also lead to new ways of designing industrial processes such as solar-powered desalination or drying of materials.
Abstract:
Although water is almost transparent to visible light, we demonstrate that the air–water interface interacts strongly with visible light via what we hypothesize as the photomolecular effect. In this effect, transverse-magnetic polarized photons cleave off water clusters from the air–water interface. We use 14 different experiments to demonstrate the existence of this effect and its dependence on the wavelength, incident angle, and polarization of visible light. We further demonstrate that visible light heats up thin fogs, suggesting that this process can impact weather, climate, and the earth’s water cycle and that it provides a mechanism to resolve the long-standing puzzle of larger measured clouds absorption to solar radiation than theory could predict based on bulk water optical constants. Our study suggests that the photomolecular effect should happen widely in nature, from clouds to fogs, ocean to soil surfaces, and plant transpiration and can also lead to applications in energy and clean water.
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