Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Molecules Manipulated with Lasers

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the do-the-pokey-pokey dept.

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."

6 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. Spelling? by AikonMGB · · Score: 5, Informative

    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

    1. Re:Spelling? by CRCulver · · Score: 2, Informative

      How is "colour" and "flavour" changing anything? That's the original English spelling. It was only after 1776 that American orthographical reforms departed from tradition.

    2. Re:Spelling? by CRCulver · · Score: 2, Informative

      No. In Old French, the Latin ending "-or" became "-our". This spread into Middle English when the French language became houte coutre after the Norman Conquest. English knew only "-our" before the American spelling reform.

  2. Speling by brasspen · · Score: 3, Informative

    I think that's Ottawa. As in Canada's capital. There is no "o".

  3. Free Online by Soko · · Score: 3, Informative

    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.

    Soko

    --
    "Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." - Anonymous
  4. Enough with the "sharks" tags! by Mr2001 · · Score: 2, Informative

    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.

    --
    Visual IRC: Fast. Powerful. Free.