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Article: Accurate measuring with atomic fountains and optical molasses. (gravity measurement using lasers)
- Article from:
- Mechanical Engineering-CIME
- Article date:
- November 1, 1992
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1992 American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Scientists at Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.) are developing precision physical and biological measurement applications for new advanced laser techniques that permit the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules with extreme control.
Using "optical molasses" laser methods to hold and move atoms and molecules in ways never before possible, Stanford physicist Steven Chu and his coworkers are measuring the earth's gravitational force. In their research, they slow down sodium atoms to near absolute zero with specially tuned lasers, creating "atomic fountains" of slowly falling atoms.
These fountains allow such precise measurement that the ...