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Mastering Light
thyristor writes "'Researchers at MIT document the ultimate control over light: a way to shift the frequency of light beams to any desired colour, with near 100 per cent efficiency. This technology could revolutionise a range of fields, from turning heat into light, or even into prized terahertz rays - which hold great promise for medical imaging. It could also make it possible to focus a wide range of frequencies into a narrow band, make devices such as light bulbs and solar cells more efficient, and help to keep optical telecommunications networks moving.' These are probably the most exciting results in photonics in the last decade."
Will someone else shed more light into the matter???
for the next-generation laser pointers!
Can someone in the audience shed more light into the matter?
Playing pong with lightwaves.
"God fights on the side with the best artillery." - Napoleon, Marshal of France - speaking truth to power
I call it a "laser"....
I'm confused. Are you saying that MIT researchers have developed a new "Cyrstal Light" drink mix that changes colors? What flavor is it?
...shift happens!
Q: "Why do sound techs say 'check 1, 2'?"
A: "Cause if they could count any higher they'd be lighting techs."
- The work is impressive, says materials chemist Michael Sailor at the University of California, San Diego, whose team has developed flexible, biodegradable photonic crystals. He says he now plans to test the phenomenon for himself.
Sounds like they didn't manage to make crystals that actually *last*, and are attempting to sell this bug as a feature.Who says the physical engineering guys can't learn anything from the software guys?
yes, we have no bananas
Does this mean my laser pointer will be able to hit the moon? :D
I've left to find myself. If you happen to see me, please, keep me there until I return.
After all, if science can't help drunk/horny/single people get laid, what good is it? :-)
Only on Slashdot would this be moderated "insightful" rather than "funny".
Thank god... now just before Zephran Cochran launches, we'll have the frequency shifting lasers we need to stop the Borg without any help.
You forgot X-rays... Now the old gag X-ray glasses could become a reality!
6. PROFIT!!!!
I disagree with "Star Trek has been completed!"
Star Trek will NOT be complete until we have discovered how the Klingons and Romulans make their CLOAKING DEVICES. And while we're at it, I wish Zephram Cochran would hurry up and be born so he can invent the Warp Drive. You know, I thought we almost had the Warp Drive with Asymetical Capacitors, but others here on Slashdot have pointed out that they don't work in a vacuum. One more thing, we need Transporters to beam down to other planets from orbit. We're a long way from Star Trek.
The article mentions an interesting fact that the researchers are using bullets instead of sound shock waves. "That will, of course, destroy the crystal"... I can just imagine what goes on in that lab:
"Allrighty, George, it's your turn with the gun."
"But Bill, you know George can't hit the broad side of a barn!"
"Nonsense, my dear fellow. We need to produce some blue light soon, and that calls for a once-in-a-blue-moon event. Come on, George; ready... aim... fire! Take the safety off first, George. Gees... you call yourself a scientist? Ready... aim... fire!"
"Oh, no, not my brand new spectrometer!..."
"Look... Blue light! Woooohoooo!"
Initially they will generate shock waves by shooting bullets at photonic crystals.
Who says science isn't fun?
-R
Uh, what exactly is a 'heat wave'?
Three consecutive days with temperatures of 90 degrees (F) or above.
But they do occur with alarming frequency.
"He who laughs last, didn't get the joke."-Cap
I just wanted to say that - you being a physicist - I enjoyed reading your technical terms "on-so-tiny" and "kazillion".
I never did all that well in physics. I guess now I know why...I just didn't know the lingo.