Solid light
Solid light is a theory that says light can behave as a solid. Andrew Greentree, Jared Cole, and Lloyd Hollenberg of the University of Melbourne, and Charles Tahan of the University of Cambridge demonstrated theoretically how to engineer a phase transition in photons, leading them to change their state so that they do interact with each other in a macroscopic, strongly-correlated way. According to them, this technology will help build new kinds of quantum emulators and other quantum information technologies such as massively parallel single photon sources.[1][2][3]
[edit] In Science Fiction
This concept is used in science fiction, in applications like solid "hard light bridges" (e.g. Halo and Portal 2), "hard light blades" (Mass Effect 3), "hard light combat drones" (Mass Effect 2) and even partially "hard light" starships (Halo: Cryptum). The "power ring" of DC Comics' Green Lantern can form any object its user can imagine from "hard light."
[edit] References
- ^ Nature Physics 2, 856 - 861 (2006), Quantum Phase Transitions of Light
- ^ Could Light Behave As A Solid? A New Theory
- ^ tahan.com/charlie: Quantum phase transitions of light
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