Apr 8 2004
ANU researchers have developed Australia’s first atom laser, consisting of a single beam of atoms of the coldest material in the Universe.
The atom laser, developed by a team of physicists from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics at ANU, produces a beam of matter waves and is potentially far more precise than the optical lasers that are in CD drives and communication technologies.
“Devices based on matter waves would be up to one million-million times more sensitive than devices based on optical lasers of the same brightness and hold great promise for future technologies,” Dr John Close said.
“Devices based on wave interference include the Global Positioning System and gyroscopes. They are commonly used in industry, research laboratories and the military for precision measurement – and this fundamental research underway at the ANU has significant ramifications for the future of this equipment.”
At a temperature 100-billionths of a degree above absolute zero, the material used in the laser, known as Bose Einstein condensate, is unlike any other material available. It is used in the matter wave, or atom, laser to produce a beam of freezing atoms.
Physicists are just now beginning to grasp the full range of possibilities for this new material.
“The ANU atom laser is the first in Australia and only the fifth to be developed in the world. Our laser has enabled us to conduct the first research making a detailed investigation of the noise properties of quantum matter waves,” Dr Close said.
“The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics at ANU is taking Australia to the cutting edge of atom laser technology, conducting fundamental research which could be an important base for the future of the nation’s economy.”
The laser was developed by at team of physicists including: Dr John Close, Dr Nicholas Robins, Dr Joseph Hope, Dr Craig Savage, Dr Jessica Lye, Mr Simon Haine and Mr Cameron Fletcher.