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Researchers Working On Crystallizing Light

Posted by samzenpus on from the tripping-on-the-light-fantastic dept.

An anonymous reader writes Researchers at Princeton University have begun crystallizing light as part of an effort to answer fundamental questions about the physics of matter. The researchers are not shining light through crystal – they are transforming light into crystal. As part of an effort to develop exotic materials such as room-temperature superconductors, the researchers have locked together photons, the basic element of light, so that they become fixed in place. "It's something that we have never seen before," said Andrew Houck, one of the researchers. "This is a new behavior for light."

10 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Been able to buy this for Years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just go to the local grocery & get some "Crystal Light" tastes pretty good too.

  2. Finally!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can now run faster than light! :)

    1. Re:Finally!! by Half-pint+HAL · · Score: 3, Funny

      Considering light was slowed down to zero a few years back, you are now just catching up to it? :)

      Well given it had a 10 millisecond headstart, he'll be catching up for a fair wee while....

      --
      Got them moderator blues I blieve I walk out the do', With these mod-points I been gettin', I 'most never post no mo'
  3. Pending lawsuit... by Oarsman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Crystal Light is going to sue for trademark infringement. #obligatorypun

  4. Hard Light Bridges by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    And coming soon: Excursion funnels!

  5. The Switch by chinton · · Score: 5, Funny

    We've secretly replaced their regular coffee with light crystals... Let's see if they notice.

  6. Re:Sounds familiar by Zalbik · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's the operating principles of a Heisenberg Compensator?

    Easy: "I'm not in the meth business. I'm in the empire business."

    I may be confusing Heisenberg's though.

  7. This just in... by in10se · · Score: 1, Funny

    This just in... faster than light speed is now possible by dropping a clump of light crystals on the floor and then running away.

    --
    Popisms.com - Connecting pop culture
  8. You know the rules of physics by atari2600a · · Score: 1, Funny

    Pics or it didn't crystallize!

  9. Re:Things come to mind by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 3, Funny

    How many photons can you store in a cubic cm? Could you then release those photons on demand? How much energy could you store in this sort of a system? Can you use it as a battery? Could it be weaponized?

    The British already did this in 1854 - duh. There were even poems about it.

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .