The terms "quantum light" and "non-quantum light" are not commonly used in scientific discourse. However, I can provide an explanation based on the distinction between classical physics and quantum physics.
In classical physics, light is described as a continuous electromagnetic wave, following Maxwell's equations. This classical description of light works well for many everyday phenomena and can be accurately modeled using classical electromagnetism. Classical light can be understood in terms of wave properties, such as wavelength, frequency, and intensity.
On the other hand, quantum physics describes light (or electromagnetic radiation) as consisting of discrete packets of energy called photons. In the quantum framework, light can exhibit both wave-like and particle-like behavior, known as wave-particle duality. This means that light can behave as a stream of individual particles (photons) or as a wave, depending on how it is observed or measured.
Quantum light refers to light that is described using the principles of quantum mechanics, which govern the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels. Quantum properties of light include superposition, where light can exist in multiple states simultaneously, and entanglement, where the quantum states of different photons become correlated.
Non-quantum light, or classical light, refers to light that is described by classical physics, where it is treated purely as an electromagnetic wave without considering the discrete nature of photons.
It's important to note that in most everyday situations, the effects of quantum properties of light are not readily apparent. Classical physics provides an excellent approximation for understanding and describing the behavior of light in many practical scenarios. However, in certain cases involving extremely low light levels, single-photon sources, or highly sensitive measurements, the quantum nature of light becomes crucial to consider.
In summary, the key difference between quantum light and non-quantum light lies in the underlying framework used to describe and understand their behavior. Quantum light is described using the principles of quantum mechanics and considers the discrete nature of photons, while non-quantum light is described by classical physics as a continuous electromagnetic wave.