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New Zealand Scientists Make Atom-Trapping Breakthrough

Posted by timothy on from the gotta-keep-'em-separated dept.

Mogster writes with this news from New Zealand: "'University of Otago scientists have made a 'major physics breakthrough' with the development of a technique to consistently isolate and capture a fast-moving single atom. A team of four researchers from the university's physics department are believed to be the first to isolate and photograph the Rubidium 85 atom.' Good to see Kiwis following in Rutherford's footsteps."

4 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Method by cappp · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The three-year project used laser cooling technology to slow a group of atoms, before a laser beam, or "optical tweezers", isolated and held one atom

  2. Re:Oh... by Fluffeh · · Score: 4, Interesting

    On an actually related note, was I the only one who eagerly viewed the story with the supposed photograph [of] the Rubidium 85 atom and felt very cheated that the article didn't contain the photograph of the atom?

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  3. Possibilities for energetic particles? by Ironchew · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This seemed to be geared toward quantum computing, but I was wondering if the same technique could isolate a significant mass of highly energetic matter, e.g. newly created antimatter? We've only been able to capture an almost negligible fraction of that so far.

  4. Re:No More Secrets by Kristopeit,+Mike · · Score: 1, Interesting
    all existing encryption systems CAN already be broken... it just takes large amounts of time relative to the average life of the species doing the breaking.

    don't worry about the quantum computing fanatics... they're working under the assumption that interlinks can be designed which add absolutely no latency. you don't seem to realize the possibility of accomplishing such a task.