These guys aren't very forthcoming with potential applications but it doesn't take much imagination to speculate. Engineers already use light to reduce vibrations in mirrors, cooling them close to absolute zero.
Beyond this,the most exciting application is in information processing. In this field, there is growing interest in controlling phonons because they are essentially noise generated by heat.
Controlling phonons would allow them to be steered away from sensitive areas. More ambitious still is the possibility of computing with phonons, with various groups around the world working on phonon diodes and transistors, the building blocks of logic gates.
Progress so far is tentative but that could soon change. Other suggestions in the comments section please.
Ref: arxiv.org/abs/1207.2998: Electrostriction And Guidance Of Sound By Light In Optical Fbers
TRSF: Read the Best New Science Fiction inspired by today’s emerging technologies.
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment