Slashdot Mirror


New Form of Matter Melds Lasers, Superconductors

sterlingda writes "Physicists at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated a new form of matter that melds the characteristics of lasers and superconductors. The work introduces a new method of moving energy from one point to another as well as a low-energy means of producing a light beam like that from a laser. The new state is a solid filled with a collection of energy particles known as 'polaritons' that have been trapped and slowed using a technique similar to that used to produce a Bose-Einstein condensate. The work is published in the May 18 issue of Science (subscription required to read beyond the abstract)."

3 of 113 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Circus physics by HomelessInLaJolla · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    You're telling me that fermions are not subatomic bundles of energy?

    Quote from Wikipedia on fermions: "Therefore fermions are usually related with matter while bosons are related with radiation, though the separation between the two is not clear in quantum physics"

    Oh wait. I just saw your handle. You're still an undergrad. You'll understand eventually if you keep at it though most people quit even before they reach your level of ignorance.

    --
    the NPG electrode was replaced with carbon blac
  2. Re:Bozos will blow up this planet one day by SP33doh · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    troll? no.

    uninformed? yes!

  3. ok new form of matter - the big question is by mgabrys_sf · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    How does it taste?

    Refreshingly minty?