Molecules Manipulated with Lasers

eldavojohn writes "Scientists have been busy in Ottawa using lasers to manipulate chemical reactions. While this may not seem like an impressive feat, the implications this has for quantum mechanics is quite large. From the article, "According to Albert Stolow, the NRC team leader, the tool used to alter molecular landscapes has implications beyond the control of chemical reactions. One example already mentioned is in the area of quantum information either to directly encode molecular scale information or to control molecular scale switches. Another application is in developing novel forms of optical microscopy of live cells, where quantum control methods can be used to sharpen images, enhance sensitivity and perhaps even perform molecular scale surgery on individual cells. The electric interaction underlying the NRC technique is an essential tool on the quantum mechanic's workbench. Its application to science and technology could reach deep into the quantum world of the ultrasmall." The article in science was where I caught this initially though it doesn't seem to be free anywhere online. The final words of the summary are "suggesting broad applicability" but only time will tell how far our imaginations will use this research."

lasers

[freewaybear]

That's nothing. I've been using lasers to manipulate my cats for years, and they're a lot bigger than molecules.

cool

[macadamia_harold]

That's really cool, but my first question is, how'd they get the sharks to sit still so they could finish the tests?

Ottowa in Canoda?

[Anonymous Coward]

I know Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but where is Ottowa? I think I remember reading somewhere that it is in the small country of Canoda, which is just north of Omerica. I went to the capital of Omerica once. A beautiful city named Woshington.

Re:Speling

[gary chund]

No 'O' ?

So it's more like Ttawa? Nice one.

Re:Applications

[kfg]

I want to force a neutron into hydrogen and get deuterium without all that concentrating.

I don't care how hard you have to concentrate, if you can do that under controled conditions there's a million bucks in it for you.

KFG

Re:Applications

[LiquidCoooled]

Given enough curry a man can produce all the gases you care to examine.

I cannot guarantee they will be what you are looking for, but until you check you will never know.

Re:Ottowa in Canoda?

[EveLibertine]

I think you mean Woshington O.C., which is the capitol of Omerica. Woshington just another state.

I'm a very untidy quantum mechanic.

[Slur]

Take my quantum workbench. One minute my quantum spanner is there, then it's not there, then it's a superposition of there/not-there. And although my quantum computer has only 27 Qbits, all past and future quantum computers are already networking with it, and I get something like Aleph-One SPAM emails per day.

Re:Speling

[Anonymous Coward]

o? I thought Canada's capital was 'C'.

Re:Speling

[KDR_11k]

He's a case insensitive clod!