Slow Light: Experiments & Observations

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In summary, there was an experiment in which light was slowed down to 17 m/s, but it was not observable by the human eye due to the small size and short duration of the experiment. Pictures were taken before and after, but not during, in order to avoid interfering with the delicate state of the atoms.
  • #1
dcl
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Hey, I'm very inexperienced when it comes to this sort of Physics.

I have read recently that they have managed to slow light down to 17 m/s.

Was the experiment observable by the human eye by any chance?
Could they actually see the light propogate at 17m/s through the given gas/what ever.

Any chance a video has been released of it, given the above is true?


Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by dcl
I have read recently that they have managed to slow light down to 17 m/s.

Was the experiment observable by the human eye by any chance?

It wasn't visible to the naked eye. The cloud of atoms was only a few hundred micrometers across, and light traversed it in tens of microseconds. They took pictures of the cloud before and after they sent light through it, but not during: they didn't want the imaging beam to interfere with the experiment. (The Bose-Einstein condensate of atoms is a very delicate state to maintain, and they didn't want to shine any extraneous light on it.)
 
  • #3
Ahhh ok.
Thought so.


Thanks for clearing that up for me.
 

FAQ: Slow Light: Experiments & Observations

What is slow light?

Slow light is a phenomenon in which the speed of light is significantly reduced, typically to a few meters per second, as it passes through a medium such as a gas, liquid, or solid material.

How is slow light achieved in experiments?

Slow light can be achieved in experiments by using materials with high refractive indices, which cause light to travel more slowly. Another method is using special techniques such as electromagnetically induced transparency or stimulated Brillouin scattering.

What are the potential applications of slow light?

Slow light has potential applications in various fields such as telecommunications, quantum computing, and optical data storage. It can also be used for precision measurements and in studying the fundamental properties of light.

What are some challenges in studying slow light?

One of the main challenges in studying slow light is finding materials that can slow down light without causing excessive absorption or dispersion. Another challenge is maintaining the slow light effect over long distances or in dynamic environments.

How is slow light observed and measured in experiments?

Slow light can be observed and measured using various techniques such as time-of-flight measurements, interferometry, and spectroscopy. These methods allow researchers to study the effects of slow light on the phase, amplitude, and velocity of light.

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