Researchers at NIST have successfully transferred rotational motion from laser light to sodium atoms, creating a “quantum tornado” effect. This marks the first time rotational energy has been transferred in discrete units between light and matter.
The experiment involved cooling over a million sodium atoms to near absolute zero, forming a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) – a state of matter where atoms behave like a single super-atom. Two laser beams, one with a rotating doughnut shape, were used to transfer orbital angular momentum from light to the BEC.
The researchers demonstrated precise control over the rotational motion, including making the BEC simultaneously rotate and stand still, or rotate in opposite directions. This quantum superposition effect is a key feature of quantum physics.
The technique could potentially be used to manipulate BECs for quantum information systems, a promising future technology. The research was funded by the Office of Naval Research, NASA, and ARDA, and involved collaboration between NIST, the University of Maryland, and international researchers.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2006/11/tornadoes-are-transferred-light-sodium-atoms
Keywords: Orbital Angular Momentum, Bose-Einstein Condensate, Quantized Rotation, Superposition
