No, a photon is not imaginary. A photon is a fundamental particle and the quantum carrier of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and more. It is not merely a mathematical trick or an imaginary construct. Photons have measurable properties and play a crucial role in the theory of electromagnetism and quantum mechanics.
According to modern physics, photons are massless particles that travel at the speed of light in a vacuum. Their properties are well-established and have been extensively tested and confirmed through various experiments and observations. Photons can interact with matter, exhibit particle-like and wave-like behaviors, and can be detected and measured.
The existence of photons is supported by a vast body of experimental evidence, including phenomena such as the photoelectric effect, the Compton effect, and the observation of interference and diffraction patterns in experiments involving light. Additionally, the quantum theory of electrodynamics, known as quantum electrodynamics (QED), provides a detailed mathematical framework that accurately describes the behavior of photons and their interactions with charged particles.
While it is true that certain mathematical tools, such as complex numbers, are used to describe and analyze the properties of photons, this does not diminish their physical reality. The use of mathematics is a powerful tool in physics to model and understand the behavior of the natural world. Photons are a well-established and integral part of our understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and the quantum nature of light.