2006-11-29 18:14:14 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
"Slow Light" Experiments
Main article: Slow Light
Refractive phenomena, such as this rainbow, are due to the slower speed of light in a medium (water, in this case).
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Refractive phenomena, such as this rainbow, are due to the slower speed of light in a medium (water, in this case).
Any light travelling through a medium other than a vacuum travels below c as a result of the time lag between the polarization response of the medium and the incident light. However, certain materials have an exceptionally high group index and a correspondingly low group velocity. In 1999, a team of scientists led by Lene Hau were able to slow the speed of a light pulse to about 17 metres per second,[2] and in 2001, they were able to momentarily stop a beam.[3]
In 2003, Mikhail Lukin, with scientists at Harvard University and the Lebedev Institute in Moscow, succeeded in completely halting light by directing it into a mass of hot rubidium gas, the atoms of which, in Lukin's words, behaved "like tiny mirrors", due to an interference pattern in two "control" beams.[4]
2006-11-29 18:26:32 · answer #1 · answered by James Chan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The speed of light is always constant as established under General Relativity, regardless of reference point (186,285 mi/s, denoted by c). Even if one open a flashlight when stationary, then instantaneously travel at, say 180,000 mi/s, light will still be, relative to the person, travelling at c. This accounts for the oddities related to relativity. It also shows that it is impossible to travel at the speed of light.
2006-11-30 02:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by John H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why do u want to slow the speed of light!
2006-11-30 02:25:03 · answer #3 · answered by shruti 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
erm, u can't slow it unless you're God, or you can speed up everything else in the world... lol. The speed of light is a constant; its a known fact that will stay there.
Oh oh! unless you're in mars or some other place other than earth, then it might be different. :)
2006-11-30 02:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You could slow your perception of the speed of light by taking psychedelic drugs.
2006-11-30 02:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Extreme gravity. Like a blackhole.
2006-11-30 02:21:57 · answer #6 · answered by amish-robot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shine it through any substance. Gravity won't slow it down though, it just redshifts it.
2006-11-30 02:27:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a few X pills
2006-11-30 02:23:04 · answer #8 · answered by EARNEYW 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
by introducing it in a denser medium?
2006-11-30 02:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by pigley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Close your eyes.
2006-11-30 02:23:28 · answer #10 · answered by Mez 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋