Is there a 'time' lost in an interval between when photons hit a mirrored surface and are converted to a reflection? It seems to me, knowing very little, that for one photon to excite another to replace it is a process. A 'process' indicates a loss of time in order to accomplish the exchange.

Thanks for your help

As far as I know, photons don't 'replace' other photons. They are the same photons before and after they are reflected.

It's hard to really tell anything for certain though, since a photon deals more with quantum physics than one might think. It has properties of a wave and a particle.

As far as I know, photons don't 'replace' other photons. They are the same photons before and after they are reflected.

It's hard to really tell anything for certain though, since a photon deals more with quantum physics than one might think. It has properties of a wave and a particle.

If I'm not mistaken the process includes the excitation of the reflecting surface [for example aluminum] and causes a release of a proton taken from the surface.