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What if a spacecraft could travel through our solar system with acceleration using only light? This is the goal of Caltech's new research.
Researchers in the region have developed a way to levitate and propel objects using only light, adding specific nanoscale patterns to their surface. Scientists have the ability to move and manipulate tiny objects using "optical tweezers".
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The tweezers move objects via the radiative pressure of a highly focused laser light beam. However, this impressive tool can only move very small objects over a very limited distance.
Ognjen Ilic, postdoctoral researcher, and the first author of the study proposes an analogy: "One can levitate a ping pong ball using a continuous stream of air coming from a hair dryer. if it was too far from the hair dryer, and so on. "
Precise reason leads to levitation
New research now allows objects of different sizes and shapes to be moved using only beams of light. The trick is to create very specific patterns on the surface of the object.
These nanoscale patterns interact with the light so that the object continues to "straighten up" itself if it is disturbed, so that it creates a recovery moment that keeps it floating in the light. .
This means that an object can remain stable and not rely on highly focused beams. The grounds could even mean that the light source is millions of kilometers away from the object.
Light-based propulsion is a possibility
"We have developed a method that could levitate macroscopic objects," says Atwater, also director of the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis.
"There is a daringly interesting application to use this technique as a means of propelling a new generation of spacecraft – we are far from doing it, but we are testing the principles."
This research provides the conceptual theory that a spacecraft could be "powered" into space by a laser light based on the Earth. The gear would not need to carry fuel allowing it to go to relativistic speeds and possibly to travel to other stars.
Possible application for manufacturing
Spaceships that do not need fuel for propulsion would be a great boost for the future of space colonies. The vessel without resources could be used for intra-planetary travel or as a reconnaissance vehicle.
Technology developers are also exploring ways to use it to enable the rapid manufacture of increasingly smaller objects, such as printed circuit boards. The research was published in the March 18 issue of Nature Photonics.
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