Atomic Tweezers



 A new study was published in Science Advances. Researchers set up an experiment at the Technion Faculty of Physics. It demonstrates atom transfer from one place to another. They do this via quantum tunneling between optical tweezers. This experiment was led by Professor Yoav Sagi and Yanay Florshaim from the Solid State Institute.

Optical tweezers are an experimental tool for capturing atoms, living cells or even molecules. They are moved by using an optical potential created by a laser beam focused on a tiny micron sized spot.

How? The force generated with the interaction of light is proportional to the intensity of light. The force is strong enough to hold atoms in place or move them to another location. 

Optical tweezers were invented by the physicist Arthur Ashkin.  He won the Nobel prize in 2018 and the tweezers have become an important tool in physics.

The scientists at Technion Used three optical tweezers. They changed the distances and dramatically controlled the tunneling rate between the atoms. 

Quantum tunneling is unique to the quantum world. The particles have a chance to pass through a barrier that they cannot overcome. Controlling the tunneling rate allows for the transfer of  atoms. 

This is the first demonstration of this transfer method. Scientists believe it will become a significant part in the development of new quantum platforms.

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