If we consider a scenario where each quantum photon is constrained to a single Planck volume of space and propagates light by oscillating within that volume to stimulate adjacent Planck volumes, we would likely observe some significant changes in the behavior of light compared to its classical propagation.
Discrete Nature: The scenario you described suggests that light would be composed of discrete, localized particles oscillating within each Planck volume. This is different from the continuous wave-like behavior of classical light. Each photon would be confined to its respective Planck volume, and its energy and momentum would be quantized.
Energy Transmission: In the classical view of light, energy is distributed continuously along the wavefront. However, in this scenario, energy would be transferred discretely from one Planck volume to the next. As a photon oscillates within its volume, it would stimulate adjacent Planck volumes, causing a discrete transfer of energy from one volume to another.
Non-locality: In quantum mechanics, particles can exhibit non-local correlations, meaning that the behavior of one particle can be instantly connected to the behavior of another, regardless of the distance between them. In the context of light propagation within Planck volumes, this non-locality could imply that the oscillation of a photon within one volume could instantaneously affect the behavior of photons in adjacent volumes.
Diffraction and Interference: Diffraction and interference are fundamental properties of light. In this scenario, where photons are confined to individual Planck volumes, the concept of diffraction and interference would need to be reevaluated. The discrete nature of the particles and their interactions could give rise to unique diffraction and interference patterns that differ from classical expectations.
Uncertainty Principle: The Heisenberg uncertainty principle states that there is a fundamental limit to the precision with which we can simultaneously know the position and momentum of a particle. In the case of light constrained to Planck volumes, this principle would likely come into play, potentially introducing additional uncertainty and limitations on our ability to precisely measure the properties of light.
It's important to note that this scenario is highly speculative and goes beyond our current understanding of light and its behavior. The behavior of light at Planck scales and the nature of quantum gravity are still open questions in physics. Therefore, the specific consequences of such a scenario would require a deeper understanding of quantum gravity and the behavior of particles at extremely small scales.