Philip Leindecker

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Physicists observe the optical Magnus effect in quantum light for the first time

Research scientist

A laser aimed at the center of a trapped atom should interact most strongly at its bright center. It doesn't. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland measured the strongest interaction slightly off to one side — a shift they've named the optical Magnus effect, after the physics that curves a spinning table tennis ball.

Updated 3 hours ago

Notable Quotes

The forces it generates could be used to couple qubits to one another, enabling more complex computations.

from Physicists observe the optical Magnus effect in quantum light for the first time · Updated 3 hours ago

Our ion acts like a tiny sensor that we can use to feel out the structure of the laser light.

from Physicists observe the optical Magnus effect in quantum light for the first time · Updated 3 hours ago