Of course, this is still very far from the technology attractive rays kosmolёtov style Star Trek, but the physics of optics from the Australian National University (ANU) have learned to move objects with a laser beam.
The laser beam was able to move the spherical object size of one fifth of a millimeter to a distance of 20 cm, which is almost 100 times greater than in previous experiments in this field. Scientists used a hollow laser beam, bright edges and dark in the center.
ANU researchers have previously developed a similar device, which moves very fine particles over long distances via optical vortex. Whirlwind create so-called "photophoretic" force that pushes the particle forward by controlled pulses of photons.
This new method is based on the fact that the energy of the laser beam heats the air surrounding the object, creating hot spots on one side of the glass envelope of the hollow ball. The heat pushes the air particles in the side, resulting in a tiny hollow ball moves slightly, moving in the opposite direction. Changing the polarization of the laser beam from the centerline (star-shaped) to the azimuthal (in the form of a ring), the researchers were able to change the direction of motion of the ball or even cause it to hang in the air.
The researchers believe that such a beam can be widely used in the real world - e.g., as a means of inspection or sampling of atmospheric pollution, which is achievable if the technology will work at a distance of several meters.
Dr. Vladlen Swedes (left) and Dr. Cyril Gnatovsky (right). One of the authors of the study, Vladlen Swedes notes that a relatively small radius of action due to the low power laser laboratory setup. Another co-author, Wieslaw Krolikovsky, hurries to disappoint a wide audience, pointing out that the technology works only in the presence of air, and in no way does not bring us closer to the technology in the style of Star Trek or the game Portal. Article describing the research published in the journal Nature Photonics.
No comments:
Post a Comment