German Physicists Claim Speed of Light Broken

Byzanthy writes "Two German physicists claim to have broken the speed of light by using 'microwave photons.' According to Einstein's special theory of relativity, it would require an infinite amount of energy to accelerate any object beyond the speed of light. However, Dr Gunter Nimtz and Dr Alfons Stahlhofen, of the University of Koblenz, say they did it by using a phenomenon known as quantum tunneling. The pair say they have conducted an experiment in which microwave photons — energetic packets of light — traveled 'instantaneously' between a pair of prisms that had been moved up to 3ft apart." New Scientist, however, is running an article that suggests Einstein can rest easy. Aephraim Steinberg, a quantum optics expert at the University of Toronto, explains that the German physicist's results aren't necessarily wrong, they are just being interpreted incorrectly.

Comments

microwaves, broken laws, call homeland security

[www.sorehands.com]

These guys mentioned microwaves and broken laws, they must be terrorist planning on making a bomb that explodes before it exists. Call Bush, he'll understand it and stop them.

Re:Repealed law of gravity?

[ArcherB]

How about we have one single science discussion where it does not degenerate into a political bashing session.

Please do not consider my sig as part of this comment where I say, "Thank You"

Re:The summary leaves only one question

[Descalzo]

Fidel Castro got a package from the CIA. He opened it and found inside a salt shaker, a small map of Cuba, and a photo of Michael Jackson. No one understood why the CIA would send him this, so they finally asked the entire country. They had everyone look at the 3 items and try to figure out what it meant. Finally an old woman from the mountains looked in the box and laughed. "It's easy!" she cried. "Sal de Cuba maricón."