Biology as Applied Physics

At the most fundamental level, cells are made of molecules, which in turn are built from atoms containing electrons. When light interacts with cells, photons can be absorbed by these electrons, temporarily exciting them to a higher energy state. Within a very short time, the electrons return to their ground state, releasing energy in the process. 
This released energy is transferred into the cell’s machinery where it boosts ATP production, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, and enhances cellular respiration. The result is a cascade of therapeutic outcomes.

How It Works

Certain molecules in the body, called chromophores, are able to absorb photons (particles of light).

Each photon carries a specific energy given by the equation E = h·f, where E is the photon’s energy, h is Planck’s constant, and f is the frequency of the light. Since frequency and wavelength (λ) are related by the speed of light (c = f·λ), photon energy can also be expressed as E = h·c/λ, showing that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons, while longer wavelengths carry less energy.

In atoms and molecules, electrons occupy quantized energy levels. To move from a lower energy level E₁ to a higher level E₂, an electron must absorb energy exactly equal to ΔE = E₂ − E₁.

When electrons absorb photons of the correct energy, they are temporarily excited to a higher level. Within nanoseconds or microseconds, the electron returns to its ground state, releasing energy as heat or lower-energy photons.