Consider light bouncing back and forth between two ideal front surfaced mirrors. How long does the process of reflection (i.e., absorption and re-emission) take?
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1$\begingroup$ related (without answer yet): This question $\endgroup$– MoonrakerCommented Jun 8, 2016 at 12:37
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$\begingroup$ The electromagnetic field doesn't get absorbed (to first order) and one wouldn't describe the process with the equivalent of an atomic scattering process, either. $\endgroup$– CuriousOneCommented Jun 8, 2016 at 14:02
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$\begingroup$ Good question. But I think reflection is more like scattering (as suggested by @jim 's comment below) than absorption and re-emission. A related issue is : where exactly does reflection take place? The reflected wave originates a short distance below the "surface" of even a very flat mirror. This relates to the "Skin Depth" of the material. Also relevant is the phase change on reflection, which could be seen as a delay. However, all these processes are far shorter than absorption and re-emission; by comparision reflection is "instantaneous". $\endgroup$– sammy gerbilCommented Jun 8, 2016 at 14:03
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