Photonic > Light
Posted by Xeno on June 20, 2011 RIKEN and the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) have successfully produced a first beam of X-ray laser light with a wavelength of 1.2 Angstroms. This light was created using SACLA, a cutting-edge X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facility unveiled by RIKEN in February 2011 in Harima, Japan.
First X-ray lasing of SACLA
Nano optics; single photon light sources, scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM)
Jeremy Baumberg - University of Southampton, UK Light from molecules emerging with different colours from a metal surface which has been nano-sculpted ... Jeremy Baumberg - University of Southampton, UK Plot of the reflection of light from a nano-sculpted surface, for different incident directions ... Jeremy Baumberg - University of Southampton, UK Stacking 400 nm diameter spheres of plastic using the capillary action in fluids ...
So, this is not a tractor beam at all, since it pushes rather than pulls, doesn't work in space and is only good for moving glass beads. I am aware that you need to make small steps on the way to big changes but calling this a Tractor beam makes this like the National Enquirer articles that say "CURE FOR CANCER FOUND" then report that it is a possible cure, is completely untested and it will be 10 years before we know if it is actually any good. Sensationalising science may serve to increase public awareness and interest in the short term, but will only lead to disappointment and despondency when it fails to come up with the "promised" goods. 9/10/10 4:26am
Tractor Beam Technology
Light