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Molecules Manipulated with Lasers
eldavojohn writes "Scientists have been busy in Ottawa using lasers to manipulate chemical reactions. While this may not seem like an impressive feat, the implications this has for quantum mechanics is quite large. From the article, "According to Albert Stolow, the NRC team leader, the tool used to alter molecular landscapes has implications beyond the control of chemical reactions. One example already mentioned is in the area of quantum information either to directly encode molecular scale information or to control molecular scale switches. Another application is in developing novel forms of optical microscopy of live cells, where quantum control methods can be used to sharpen images, enhance sensitivity and perhaps even perform molecular scale surgery on individual cells. The electric interaction underlying the NRC technique is an essential tool on the quantum mechanic's workbench. Its application to science and technology could reach deep into the quantum world of the ultrasmall." The article in science was where I caught this initially though it doesn't seem to be free anywhere online. The final words of the summary are "suggesting broad applicability" but only time will tell how far our imaginations will use this research."
...and the armchair quantum physics discussions. :-P *bleh* Slow news day.
That's nothing. I've been using lasers to manipulate my cats for years, and they're a lot bigger than molecules.
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I know us Canucks like to change all kinds of words like "colour" and "favour", but for the love of Pete, it's spelt "Ottawa"... = / -Aikon
I think that's Ottawa. As in Canada's capital. There is no "o".
That's really cool, but my first question is, how'd they get the sharks to sit still so they could finish the tests?
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You mean we can write "IBM" even smaller now?
Granted, it's an amazing feat, but when can we start manipulating particles like electrons? I want to force a neutron into hydrogen and get deuterium without all that concentrating. When we get that kind of science down to a manufacturing technology, that's when the real fun begins!
Demented But Determined.
I know Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but where is Ottowa? I think I remember reading somewhere that it is in the small country of Canoda, which is just north of Omerica. I went to the capital of Omerica once. A beautiful city named Woshington.
The hard part was getting the sharks to hold their heads still.
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And I thought it took a lot of my time to go to the doctor before. Repairing individual cells, now thats got to take a while.
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I'm rather surprised they didn't mention the impact to battery design. If batteries could be designed at the atomic and molecular level, I imagine you could greatly improve their life.
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Lasers pew pew
Cool! Laser beams! Ra ta ta ta ta!
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Take my quantum workbench. One minute my quantum spanner is there, then it's not there, then it's a superposition of there/not-there. And although my quantum computer has only 27 Qbits, all past and future quantum computers are already networking with it, and I get something like Aleph-One SPAM emails per day.
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If this doesn't lead to lightsaber/laser-sword develpment,or a super death ray then it's just not interesting. Lasers are so '60s sci-fi, anti-terrorist weapons are what's "in" right now
The article in science was where I caught this initially though it doesn't seem to be free anywhere online.
Google News has a few.
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"Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
Seriously, every story about lasers gets tagged "sharks". Austin Powers came out in 1997, so that tag was barely even funny the first time. It's time to move on.
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Personally, the only way this can impact me is if they can somehow use this to make a car smaller then this..."http://www.livescience.com/technology/0510 20_nanocar.html"
Could some kind soul please explain this dynamic stark effect. I don't quite understand where the laser is having its effect, is it actually on the fabric of the quantum space?
If you can read this, it's already too late.
This article involves lasers. The proper obligatory quote in this situation involves sharks with frikken "lasers" on their heads.
So first the sharks "manipulate" his molecules, then use the lasers just to be sure?
Who the @#$% is this Pete guy anyway??