New Tractor Beam Can Repel And Attract
Monday, October 20, 2014 - 12:20
in Physics & Chemistry
A long-distance optical tractor beam can move tiny particles - one fifth of a millimeter in diameter - a distance of up to 20 centimeters, which is almost 100 times further than previous experiments. The hollow laser beam is bright around the edges and dark in its center and it can be used to attract or repel objects. Get ready to control the weather or capture am X-Wing fighter in space - if it's really close, that is. Dr. Vladlen Shvedov (L) and Dr. Cyril Hnatovsky adjust the hollow laser beam in their lab at the Australian National University. Credit: Stuart Hay, ANU read more