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Scientists Build New Type of Photon Gun

Posted by Zonk on from the pew-pew-pew-for-science dept.

KentuckyFC writes "Single photons are surprisingly difficult to generate. But since they are crucial for quantum communication, a number of research groups are working on photon guns that fire single photons on demand. The problem they have come up against is that making the photons identical is proving harder than expected. Now a group in Cambridge, UK, has cracked the problem using a quantum dot on a transistor to emit single photons that are essentially identical. In the process, the group has developed an entirely new technique to trigger photon emission (abstract on the physics arxiv)."

5 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. The key question by dkleinsc · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it possible to correctly attach this photon gun to a shark's head?

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    I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    1. Re:The key question by mapsjanhere · · Score: 4, Funny

      Since the gun operates at 4 K, you currently have an issue with the shark getting rapidly encased in a growing block of ice. So the shark mounted version will have to wait until someone breeds a low temperature shark.

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      I'm aging rapidly, I bought a new game and had no idea if my machine was good for it.
  2. Re:The Science of Star Trek by Suicidal+Gir · · Score: 5, Funny

    He said witty.

  3. Re:Not Possible! by um_atrain · · Score: 4, Funny

    pirated?
    Arr! give me all your photons!

    Sure, placement and receipt are a huge factor, but this is still a huge step forward.

  4. Re:That's Nothing to be Proud Of by sm62704 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, imagine if it were shooting out REALLY REALLY BIG photons one at a time. Wouldn't that be a photon torpedo?

    "Aye, Cap'n. It was inwented in Russia."

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    mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest