New Optomechanical Crystal Allows Confinement of Light and Sound 91
PBH writes "Physicists and engineers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a nanoscale crystal that traps both light and sound. The interaction of light quanta (photons) and sound quanta (phomons) are so strong that they produce significant mechanical vibrations. 'Indeed, Painter points out, the interactions between sound and light in this device—dubbed an optomechanical crystal—can result in mechanical vibrations with frequencies as high as tens of gigahertz, or 10 billion cycles per second. Being able to achieve such frequencies, he explains, gives these devices the ability to send large amounts of information, and opens up a wide array of potential applications—everything from lightwave communication systems to biosensors capable of detecting (or weighing) a single macromolecule. It could also, Painter says, be used as a research tool by scientists studying nanomechanics. "These structures would give a mass sensitivity that would rival conventional nanoelectromechanical systems because light in these structures is more sensitive to motion than a conventional electrical system is."'"
Wouln't that be a... (Score:5, Funny)
Get Smart... (Score:2, Funny)
Kryptonian? (Score:2, Funny)
Re: Phonon, not phomon (Score:1, Funny)
C'mon scientists... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I'm guessing this must be important. (Score:4, Funny)
They can aid in transmitting it in "HD 4X" faster than it takes someone to realize the mistake of clicking a tinyurl.
Dangerous stuff we have here.. better ban it.
Re:Phonons (Score:4, Funny)
Well, thank goodness. I can never keep that stuff in the bowl; maybe now that the scattering mechanism is understood, I can get a full serving of noodles.
Interesting name (Score:3, Funny)
"New Optomechanical Crystal Allows Confinement of Light and Sound"
Oddly enough they named it RIAA.
Re:Get Smart... (Score:1, Funny)
ok, i give up on the flying car (Score:3, Funny)
now i'm waiting for my fiber-optic headphones
Where is that guy with that sig (Score:2, Funny)
This guy has a forum signature that "Light is faster than sound. That is why people appear bright until you hear them speak."
Now you can capture both in an optomechanical crystal. I would like to see how he weighs in on the issue.
Re:Phonon, not phomon (Score:3, Funny)
Phomon phonon!
Doo doo-doo doo doo!