Laser physicists have created a trajectory that they can control the movement of tiny particles of material.

Although it is still far from the capabilities of trailing rays from sci-fi films such as Star Wars and the ship Falkon (see photo), scientists are already able to manipulate small dust particles with a size of 0,5 mm at a distance of up to 20 cm . According to Wieslaw Krolikowski of the University of Australia, it is 100 times further than the previous version allowed: Demonstration of such a large scale is a holy grail for laser physics.

The beam of light has a cylinder profile that is bright on the edge and dark in the middle. This makes it possible to attract or repel small objects.

The laser energy strikes the particle and affects its entire surface. The particles so heat up, causing the heated air on the surface of the particle to repel the particle itself.

Project co-creator Vladlen Shvedov said the project could be presented on a larger scale: “Since lasers can maintain coherent light over long distances, this effect should work for several meters. Unfortunately, our laboratory is not large enough to show. "