Abstract

While the photon is defined as a discrete quantum of electromagnetic energy and momentum, its internal spatial structure remains a mystery. Modern physics relies on a fragmented landscape of independent fields  ̶ gravitational, electromagnetic, and various quantum fields of the Standard Model  ̶ yet the fundamental nature of these fields remains vague. This paper explores whether these seemingly distinct phenomena share a common origin, proposing that all physical fields and electromagnetic processes arise from the properties of physical space treated as an elastic continuum. Dynamic equilibrium equations of elasticity within this continuum reduce to the standard vector wave equation. We establish an equivalence between the magnetic vector potential (A) and the displacement vector (U), and show that electromagnetic fields can be represented by stress-strain fields in the elastic space continuum. Our methodology first involves developing a 3D dynamic model of photon using the vector potential (A), based on Maxwell's equations. We then calculate the electric field, magnetic field, and total field energy within the monochromatic photon wave packet. Following this, we develop a stress-strain wave representation of the photon structure that is an exact equivalent of the electromagnetic field representation. Through this stress-strain model, we firmly establish the equivalence between electromagnetic field and the stress-strain field within the elastic space continuum and also show that energy of the electromagnetic field is actually strain energy of the stress-strain field.

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