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

Actually

[OeLeWaPpErKe]

Einstein died thinking his theory was the "dumbest thing since ...". I'm not sure what exactly, actually, but it had something to do with God.

I do remember his "God does not play dice" statement.

But he spent the last 30 or so years of his life trying to disprove relativity, because he thought it wrong. So actually he probably would be glad someone finally succeeds.

Re:Group velocity vs. velocity... again

[eyebits]

Definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Is it me, or has the quality of German physics research gone down a bit in the past 100 years?

Hi, I'm Kahei

[kahei]

and I'd like to join the big pile of Slashdotters who have/will clawed you to bits for your ignorance of physics. My personal approach is going to be:

LEARN TO SPELL!!

Thanks.