Scientists freeze beam of light: They brought light to a complete halt for a fraction of a second!

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Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
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Harvard University staff held a light pulse still without taking away all of its energy, the journal Nature reports.
 

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
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Since the color white reflects light, what if you put a light source in a sealed box that was pure white inside... would the light bounce around inside and stay illuminated? :D
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Since the color white reflects light, what if you put a light source in a sealed box that was pure white inside... would the light bounce around inside and stay illuminated? :D
If the surface was 100% reflective, theoretically.. yes.. but even with 100% reflectivity, I think it would still lose energy and eventually "burn out".

That's just off the top of my head though, I don't really know.
 

Jeff7181

Lifer
Aug 21, 2002
18,368
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Since the color white reflects light, what if you put a light source in a sealed box that was pure white inside... would the light bounce around inside and stay illuminated? :D
If the surface was 100% reflective, theoretically.. yes.. but even with 100% reflectivity, I think it would still lose energy and eventually "burn out".

That's just off the top of my head though, I don't really know.

If that's true, I wonder what would happen to the photons? Would they cease to exist? Or turn into some other type of particle? Maybe you'd end up with some REALLY fine dust in the bottom of the box? LOL
 

bleeb

Lifer
Feb 3, 2000
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Originally posted by: Eli
Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Since the color white reflects light, what if you put a light source in a sealed box that was pure white inside... would the light bounce around inside and stay illuminated? :D
If the surface was 100% reflective, theoretically.. yes.. but even with 100% reflectivity, I think it would still lose energy and eventually "burn out".

That's just off the top of my head though, I don't really know.

Yes, there is resistence in the air that slows the light slightly... and remember the energy loss to heat and other forces which will decrease the energy