Light interacts with its past self in twist on double-slit experiment

The double-slit experiment consists of light passing through two slits separated by a small space – now researchers have performed it with small gaps in time instead

Untangle the weirdness of reality with our monthly newsletter.When they measured the light that bounced back, the researchers found similar interference patterns to those seen in the classic version of the experiment, but this time in the frequency of the light, which determines its colour, rather than in its brightness.

This was as theoretical calculations predicted, but the light’s frequency oscillated much more than the researchers expected. The number of oscillations depends on the sharpness of the material’s transition from transparent to reflective, so this means that the material was responding to the laser pulses with incredible speed – within a few femtoseconds of the pulse. One femtosecond is one-millionth of one-billionth of a second.

“The material response is 10 to 100 times faster than expected, and that was a big surprise,” says Sapienza. “We were hoping to see a few oscillations, and we saw many.”

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

newscientist /  🏆 541. in US

Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Biden admin moving forward with light bulb bans in coming weeksThe Biden administration is set to fully enforce a light bulb ban in the coming months that will particularly impact lower-income households after it rolled back Trump-era rules.
Read more »

Rainbows Festival looks to shed positive light on drag shows as performance becomes politicizedDrag queens are strutting their stuff in Phoenix at the Rainbows Festival. It's called a family friendly event, but comes as drag shows are being pulled into politics.
Read more »

Perspective | A sacred sculpture again sees the light of day in Northwest D.C.For years, Akili Ron Anderson's Last Supper was hidden behind drywall.
Read more »

WATCH: Social media reacts after transgender influencer claims to partner with Bud LightTransgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney posted an Instagram video on Saturday claiming that Bud Light has become the latest company to celebrate the star living as 'a girl' for a full year by creating a special anniversary beer can.
Read more »

Bud Light partners with transgender influencer Dylan MulvaneyTransgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney is now a brand ambassador for Bud Light.
Read more »