Different Perspective on Blue Sky Theory: Theory of Single-Photon Scattering on Bound and Free Electrons

We present a theory of light scattering consistent with modern physics. We proposed a spatial-temporal model of a photon based on classical model of atomic oscillator. Using this photon model, we established a criterion for single vs multi-photon irradiation of matter. We demonstrated that the assumption that induced dipole radiation can be of infinitely small power is inconsistent with quantum mechanics. We proposed the energy criteria for scattering of a photon on single and multiple atoms and free electrons. This criterion revealed the limitations and applicability of Rayleigh's and Thomson's models of scattering. According to our theory, light scattering is a threshold process, and the scattering can only take place for those photons with wavelengths shorter than some threshold. Using our model, we computed the loss of energy by a photon with wavelengths longer than the scattering threshold during interaction with bound and free electrons. We showed that a single photon can lose energy in collisionless interaction with atoms, molecules, and free electrons. The new theoretical model predicts the red shift of photon wavelength resulting from such interactions. In particular, it provides an explanation for the blue color of sky and an alternative explanation for the cosmological red shift.