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Quantum Holography

Posted by Hemos on from the peering-into-the-cat dept.

Buzz Skyline writes "Physicists succeed where psychics fail. Researchers from Boston University propose a quantum holography system that can construct 3d images of objects sealed in closed containers. Could it lead to quantum luggage scanners at the airport?"

6 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Schroedinger's Cat by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 3, Insightful

    yeah, what implications will this have on that tried and true metiphor? by doing this, we are not realy observing the object directly, we are indirectly observing it. so does this destroy the uncertanty priciple or is this considered direct observation?

    --



    I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
  2. No luggage scanning here by Rob+Parkhill · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The article seems to imply that you need a specially constructed sphere to make this work. One that lets light in at a specific point, and allows no light out. It also is built in such a way to detect when a photon hits the inside surface. Just take a look at the diagram.

    So unless someone is stupid enough to try and sneak a bomb onto a plane in one of these spheres, it's not much use to the security guards.

    --
    "Tomorrow's forecast: a few sprinkles of genius with a chance of doom!" - Stewie Griffin
  3. More important implmentations by scott1853 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why does everybody still have airport security on their brain still? Think if this can be used in medicine.

    No more exploratory surgery. Quickly detect cancer growths.

  4. Re:This is crazy by MacDuff · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Knowing the particles are entangled is extra information. If I know bits A and B are either both 0, or both 1 (fully entangled), and I observe bit A to be 0, I know B is 0. No information or state is transferred between the two particles after the initial entanglement.

    This can still be performed if, for example, bits A and B are on different HDs, and I ship one across the country. Suddenly, by reading one, I can tell someone across the country what they will read at the address where their bit is on the disk.

  5. Take a closer look by meatpopcicle · · Score: 3, Insightful

    IT JUST CREATES A 3D IMAGE OF A 3D IMAGE!
    -theres no X-Ray vision here! For luggage they would be able to say "I think its a suitcase"
    -it does seem "spooky" though
    -it does have potential uses that could be really cool. Remote surgery, biometrics, 3D video

    --
    "You're on my side and the dark side, like Lando Calrissian?" --Gimpy, Undergrads
  6. Important applications in microscopy research by luke_ · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's baffling to me that no one seems to have pointed this out, but the important applications of this technology are likely to be in light microscopy, not scanning luggage. Particularly light microscopy of biological tissues. This could be a very important advance.