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Bessel Beam 'Tractor Beam' Concept Theoretically Demonstrated

Posted by Soulskill on from the finally-asked-wil-wheaton-for-help dept.

cylonlover writes "Last year, NASA revealed it was evaluating three potential 'tractor beam' technologies to deliver planetary or atmospheric particles to a robotic rover or orbiting spacecraft. At the time, the third of these, which involved the use of a Bessel beam, only existed on paper. Researchers at Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have now proven the theory behind the concept, demonstrating how a tractor beam can be realized in the real world – albeit on a very small scale (abstract)."

3 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. "theoretically demonstrated" by noh8rz3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bessel Beam 'Tractor Beam' Concept Theoretically Demonstrated

    theoretically demonstrated? does not compute... pc load letter... explode!

  2. So how long until the drones can be armed by this? by Eightbitgnosis · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Civilian No. 955,436,725, you have been found in a restricted area. You have no more points on your criminal record. You will now be taken the camp for wayward patriots to receive reeducation!"

  3. Re:Any experts out there? by Jellodyne · · Score: 4, Funny

    It looks to me that we could use this technology to produce artificial gravity for say, a person. There are some minor limitations -- since the tech only works on very small particles, you'd have to use a very high energy Bessel beam or possibly a conventional laser to completely vaporize the person, and then the Bessel beam would be able to act on them, pulling their individual particles in the direction of the floor.