ITWire

The Nature Physics paper is entitled “A phonon laser.” Its authors are Kerry Vahala, Maximilian Herrmann, S. Knünz, V. Batteiger, G. Saathoff, Theodor W. Hänsch, and Th. Udem.

In the accompanied August 25, 2009 press release from the Max Planck Institute called “Oscillating Ions imitate optical Laser,” the scientists demonstrate the ability to construct a phonon laser that is similar mechanically to an optical laser with single ions.

For many years, scientists have wanted to find some way to build a phonon laser, one that emits “quanta of vibrational energy—so called phonons—instead of light.”

One important reason that such a phonon laser is needed in science is to dramatically increase the resolution within imaging techniques, such as tomography.

Consequently, the first ever creation of a phonon laser is the first step toward the accomplishment of this goal.

Dr. Theodor W. Hänsch, at the Max Planck Institute, and Dr. Kerry Vahala, at the California Institute of Technology (now working at MPI), led the team of scientists in this development of the phonon laser.

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