- #1
sanman
- 745
- 24
Scientists have developed a new type of laser, called a polariton laser, which can be generated using 250x less power:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/uom-anw060514.php
Polariton beams are said to have properties of both matter and light, since polaritons are a combination of a photon and an electron-hole pair. Could these unique properties provide benefits for a laser-sintering or electron-beam melting type of device?
After all, if energy-savings are involved, then that would be one way to improve performance. Furthermore, electron-beam melting is said to be useful for its very high energy levels, which allow it to melt higher-temperature metals, and to shape parts at high-resolution, since the heavier mass of the electron means its DeBroglie wavelength is lower.
What might be the pro's and cons of applying polariton beams towards additive manufacturing applications?
Likewise, could polariton beams be used for spectrometry, or LIDAR, or even fusion energy (a la NIF) for the benefit of these applications?
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/uom-anw060514.php
Polariton beams are said to have properties of both matter and light, since polaritons are a combination of a photon and an electron-hole pair. Could these unique properties provide benefits for a laser-sintering or electron-beam melting type of device?
After all, if energy-savings are involved, then that would be one way to improve performance. Furthermore, electron-beam melting is said to be useful for its very high energy levels, which allow it to melt higher-temperature metals, and to shape parts at high-resolution, since the heavier mass of the electron means its DeBroglie wavelength is lower.
What might be the pro's and cons of applying polariton beams towards additive manufacturing applications?
Likewise, could polariton beams be used for spectrometry, or LIDAR, or even fusion energy (a la NIF) for the benefit of these applications?