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NASA Wants To Make Tractor Beams a Reality

Posted by Soulskill on from the check-with-wil-wheaton dept.

intellitech sends this quote from a NASA news release: "Tractor beams — the ability to trap and move objects using light — are the stuff of science fiction, but a team of NASA scientists has won funding to study the concept for remotely capturing planetary or atmospheric particles and delivering them to a robotic rover or orbiting spacecraft for analysis." Reader Bob the Super Hamste adds, "The article along with the BBC's coverage discuss briefly three methods of how this can be done with lasers. The first method called 'optical tweezers,' in which a molecule is trapped where two beams cross (PDF). However, it requires an atmosphere to work. The second method using solenoid beams has already worked in the laboratory (PDF). The third method using Bessel beams has yet to be experimentally proven."

7 of 91 comments (clear)

  1. Re:using light? by CanHasDIY · · Score: 3, Informative

    Any sort of EM radiation can be beamed; the term is not exclusive to visible light.

    Ever heard of a radio?

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    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  2. Who Doesn't? by Gilmoure · · Score: 3, Funny

    I mean, would finally be a way to get hot burritos out of the microwave safely.

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    I drank what? -- Socrates
  3. Re:NASA has something to do! by washort · · Score: 3, Funny

    we'll just have to wait to see if it's constructive or destructive interference.

  4. Error in Summary: Optical Tweezers by reve_etrange · · Score: 4, Informative

    Doesn't require an atmosphere and can be done with one beam. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_tweezers

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    .: Semper Absurda :.
  5. Re:NASA has something to do! by fyngyrz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Constructive interference, as defined in the congressional realm, is when congress interferes with construction projects.

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    I've fallen off your lawn, and I can't get up.
  6. Documentary by mevets · · Score: 5, Informative

    There was a documentary on this in the 1980s where scientists were using beams to trap ghosts. Seemed to work pretty well then, I don't know why this has taken so long.

    1. Re:Documentary by pipedwho · · Score: 3, Informative

      There was a documentary on this in the 1980s where scientists were using beams to trap ghosts. Seemed to work pretty well then, I don't know why this has taken so long.

      Too risky.

      Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light. Total protonic reversal. That's bad.