Researchers Chill Mirror to Near Absolute Zero 202
An anonymous reader writes "Physicists have managed to cool a dime-sized mirror to within one degree of absolute zero. This is the lowest laser-induced freeze yet achieved with a visible object. Laser cooling involves firing pulses of light at a specific frequency that exactly matches an atom's motions."
Re:Confirms quantum theory (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:but (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Confirms quantum theory (Score:5, Insightful)
In my opinion, scientists may be able to approach absolute zero but they will never effectively reach it. They may hit a point at which it can be proclaimed as "good enough", but since the entire system must contain no energy and energy will always leak into the system from the universe, absolute zero will not be reached in actuality.
The benefits of moving closer to absolute zero are that we can better understand exactly what atoms do when macro-forces are canceled out and only micro-forces apply, how the building blocks relate to each other in an energy-less environment, and if any other "laws" apply to our universe that we just weren't able to witness otherwise.
Re:Other uses... (Score:3, Insightful)
(I know that some are more efficient than others, but you all know there's no free lunch)
I'd be willing to bet that the massive amount of power required to cool all the air in your house would make you bankrupt in less than a year(and really piss off your power company).
Re:Confirms quantum theory (Score:3, Insightful)
IANAP, but doesn't it immediately follow from Heisenberg's uncertainty principle that absolute zero is not reachable, as well?