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Sep 14, 2019

Using an optical tweezer array of laser-cooled molecules to observe ground state collisions

Posted by in category: particle physics

A team of researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology has found that they could use an optical tweezer array of laser-cooled molecules to observe ground state collisions between individual molecules. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their work with cooled calcium monofluoride molecules trapped by optical tweezers, and what they learned from their experiments. Svetlana Kotochigova, with Temple University, has published a Perspective piece in the same journal issue outlining the work—she also gives an overview of the work being done with arrays of optical tweezers to better understand molecules in general.

As Kotochigova notes, the development of optical tweezers in the 1970s has led to groundbreaking science because it allows for studying atoms and at an unprecedented level of detail. Their work involves using to create a force that can hold extremely tiny objects in place as they are being studied. In more recent times, have grown in sophistication—they can now be used to manipulate arrays of molecules, which allows researchers to see what happens when they interact under very controlled conditions. As the researchers note, such arrays are typically chilled to keep their activity at a minimum as the molecules are being studied. In this new effort, the researchers chose to study arrays of cooled calcium monofluoride molecules because they have what the team describes as nearly diagonal Franck-Condon factors, which means they can be electronically excited by firing a laser at them, and then revert to an after emission.

In their work, the researchers created arrays of by diffracting a single beam into many smaller beams, each of which could be rearranged to suit their purposes in real time. In the initial state, an unknown number of molecules were trapped in the array. The team then used light to force collisions between the molecules, pushing some of them out of the array until they had the desired number in each tweezer. They report that in instances where there were just two molecules present, they were able to observe natural ultracold collisions—allowing a clear view of the action.

Sep 14, 2019

Testing quantum mechanics in a non-inertial reference frame using a rotating interferometer

Posted by in categories: electronics, quantum physics

A team of researchers from the University of Glasgow and the University of Southampton has devised a novel way to test quantum mechanics in a non-inertial reference frame by using a rotating interferometer. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the group describes studying the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference using fiber coils on a rotating disk, and what they found.

As physicists struggle with the problem of uniting and , they devise new ways to both. In this new effort, the researchers noted that the two theories are consistent under some conditions—such as when gravity is very weak, or when modest acceleration is involved. In their experiment, they chose to test the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, in which entangled photons are sent on different paths along a circular track—one clockwise, the other counterclockwise. Theory suggests that when such entangled photons are reunited, they should bunch together and move toward one detector or the other. Conversely, non-entangled photons should travel toward either detector randomly.

In their experiment, the researchers set fiber cables on a rotating disk along with sensors for reading where the photons went after passing through the cables. They then sent a stream of entangled photons through the fiber cables (one clockwise, the other counterclockwise) and noted how they behaved as the disk was rotated—a means of applying a non-inertial reference frame. The researchers report that, as expected, the entangled photons did, indeed, bunch up and march off to a sensor together after being reunited with a beam splitter. More importantly, they noted that applying a non-inertial reference frame resulted in one of a pair of photons arriving a little later than the other, which in turn had an impact on the bunching signals the team recorded.

Sep 14, 2019

Healthy Life Extension / Physical Immortality – The Mass Possibility

Posted by in categories: alien life, life extension

‘Healthy Life Extension / Physical Immortality – the mass possibility ‘is presented as ’a symphony of voices’.

INTRODUCTION

Throughout the ages, pioneers have been questioning the accepted belief systems of the populace, and producing major evolutionary leaps: “The Earth is the centre of the Universe” gave way to the understanding that the earth revolves around the sun. “The Earth is flat” fell away when Columbus did not fall over the edge. The Wright Brothers also flew us into another reality as have countless others. I will be suggesting in the words to follow that the belief system “physical death is inevitable” may have a similar fate.

Sep 14, 2019

Human or hybrid? The big debate over what a species really is

Posted by in category: cyborgs

Humans once mated with Neanderthals so are we hybrids? How we see ourselves and the rest of nature is changing, raising the question of whether species even exist.

Sep 14, 2019

Trampoline mirror may push laser pulse through fabric of the Universe

Posted by in categories: physics, space

Simply changing a mirror may allow physicists to poke a hole in the universe.

Sep 14, 2019

World’s First Surviving Septuplets

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, innovation

Many of us would love to have a baby, some of us even two or three. But what about having seven of them? It might sound manageable, but now think about having all seven of them at the same time. In the age of medical innovation, fertility treatment has aided many women in getting pregnant. This is the story of a couple who couldn’t have a baby, and then had seven. The years have passed, and now those little septuplets are young adults, making them the oldest surviving septuplets. What a journey it has been for the McCaughey family.

It seems natural to have a baby, and recently it has become natural to take advantage of medical innovation to help you get there. In the case of women who can’t fall pregnant, there are some different methods of getting there. Fertility treatment isn’t uncommon and it is practiced in many countries across the globe. Even though it is an accepted method in many places, there are those that aren’t in favor of it. Some religious groups believe that it is against God’s will to interfere with the natural course of creating life. Their claim is that if God wants to give life he will, and if it is not meant to be then it will not materialize.

Sep 14, 2019

Rho Ophiuchi’s Colorful Cosmic Clouds Glisten in Starry Deep-Space Photo

Posted by in category: space

A new photo of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex by astrophotographer Miguel Claro reveals colorful nebulas and dark dust lanes near the bright star Antares.

Sep 14, 2019

Devices onboard Chandrayaan-2 orbiter gamechangers

Posted by in category: space

Former chairman of Isro A S Kiran Kumar on Thursday described the Chandrayaan-2 mission as a success, despite the loss of the Vikram lander on the lunar surface.

“Yes, there is sadness because we came so close to making a landing on the moon, but the mission itself cannot be called a failure because, for one, it is still ongoing,” Kumar said, speaking at the convocation of IISc.

Sep 14, 2019

Google Earth finds remains of man missing since 1997

Posted by in category: futurism

For 22 years, a missing person case in Florida went unsolved. Until, someone saw something strange on Google Earth. Manuel Bojorquez explains.

Sep 14, 2019

Drinking a cup of tea each day is good for your brain

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Three dozen adults who were all aged 60 or above were asked to take part a range of cognitive tests for the study.

Researchers led by a team based at the National University of Singapore also took MRI scans of the volunteers.

All of the participants, from Singapore, were also asked about how often they drink green, black or oolong tea, as well as coffee.