Planck angle

In physics, the Planck angle is a hypothesised limit on the smallest discernible angle. An observable example approaching this is the astronomical observation of one of the smaller astronomical bodies, a gamma ray burster, at the furthest possible observable distance. The angle subtended by such a small object, so far away, is considered to approach the Planck limit on angles.[1]

The Planck angle is denoted φp, is related to the ratio of the Planck length

to the classical electron radius or "electromagnetic length"

so that

[1]

It is thought this angle is the smallest angle between the world lines of free photons, which may interact with electrons or pass through the QED vacuum.

References

  1. 1 2 Mitrofanov (1994), p. 547.

Bibliography

  • Mitrofanov, Igor G. (April 1994). "Cosmic gamma-ray burst sources: The phenomenon with the smallest angular size in the observable universe". Astrophysical Journal, Part 1. 424 (2): 546–549. Bibcode:1994ApJ...424..546M. doi:10.1086/173913. ISSN 0004-637X.


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