Physicists from Germany have developed the thin optical mirror, consisting of a single layer of atoms. The human eye to see him not able to, but can notice the reflection from it. The work of scientists said in an article published in the journal Nature.
Employees of the Institute of quantum optics max Planck created a new mirror-like metamaterial. It consists of a single structured layer which contains hundreds of identical atoms. These atoms are arranged therein in a two-dimensional array of optical grating, which is formed by laser beams, and ordered by a regular scheme with a step that is less than the wavelength of the optical transition of the atom.
The thickness of the invention – only a few tens of nanometers. It is a thousand times thinner than a human hair. The reflection from him is so strong that it can be seen with the naked eye.
The new mirror has two important properties –the regular pattern of atoms and the distance between the wavelengths modeling of lasers. They suppress the diffuse scattering of light, combining reflection of the unidirectional light beam. In addition, due to the close and discrete distances between the atoms of the incoming photon is able to bounce between the atoms several times before it is reflected. Both effects lead to an enhanced response to external field, which indicates a very strong reflection.
According to scientists, the new material is unlikely to apply in everyday life, nevertheless scientific meaning of development is huge.
“Quantum optomechanics – new field of study of the quantum nature of light using mechanical devices. Our work can help create a better quantum memory or even build optical mirror with a quantum switch. This would be an important achievement in the field of information processing,” said one of the study’s authors David Wei.
If you continue fundamental studies of the interactions of light with matter, in the future it will be possible to create an efficient quantum devices, sure the German physicists.
Previously, scientists have determined the origin of the magic mirror that belonged to a British astrologer and alchemist of the XVI century, John Dee.
