Tiny ring laser accurately detects and counts nanoparticles
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 19:30
in Physics & Chemistry
A ring-shaped laser no bigger than a pinprick can accurately detect and count individual viruses, the particles that jumpstart cloud formation or those that contaminate the air we breathe. A particle disturbs the light circulating in the ring, splitting the lasing frequency. This split is a measure of the particle's size.