Hasta La Gadget!

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have reported that they were able to slow down the speed of light by a factor of 1,200.

So, does this mean you’ll soon be able to hold some light in your hand and put it in your pocket for later?! Slow down there, light boy. Even when power-walking along at 1,200th the speed, light is still pretty damn fast. So, what is the use of all this relatively lugubrious light? Answer: super crazy powerful computer processing.

The ability to slow down light is an important step in creating “all-optical quantum communication networks, with potentially vast improvements in ultra-low-power performance.” We already utilize optical fibers tho transmit data, but at some point, the optical signals has to be converted to electrical signals. This takes energy and often, bulk. So, scientists have been trying to find a way to slow, store, or even stop light so that they can create smaller, more efficient entirely optic-based systems.

Scientists have previously slowed or even (very temporarily) completely halted light. But it was accomplished at extremely low temperatures. This newest light buffer is the first to accomplish the fete at room temperature.

More nerdly details available at nanowerk.