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Thomas Ebbesen: "I Feel like an Explorer" | |
admin | |
2019-11-25 | |
发布年 | 2019 |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | 法国 |
领域 | 地球科学 |
正文(英文) |
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Thomas Ebbesen, physical chemist and 2019 CNRS Gold Medal laureate.
On Tuesday November 26, Thomas Ebbesen was awarded the CNRS Gold Medal, one of France's highest scientific distinctions. The author of several groundbreaking discoveries, the French-Norwegian physical-chemist discusses his current research into uncovering the secrets of matter.
The CNRS Gold Medal has recognised your career work, which includes major discoveries in different fields, and is interdisciplinary by nature. Today I am devoting my efforts to quantum electrodynamics. Each time I touch on a new subject I have little knowledge in the field, and therefore few preconceived notions on what is and is not possible, and so I start testing things, experimenting. The fact that I'm not limited to a specialised domain gives me more freedom. After all, the purpose of scientific research is to explore, isn’t it? Personally, I feel like an explorer. What exactly are your exploring now? ![]() How do you go about it? These fluctuations generate temporary electromagnetic fields. We then adjust the distance between the two mirrors (with a simple screwdriver!) until there is resonance interaction between the electromagnetic fields and the molecules. This means that they are resonating at the same frequency, rather like soldiers walking exactly at the same pace over a bridge, which starts vibrating as a result. When this happens, the two entities "communicate" and exchange "ephemeral" photons, thereby changing the properties of the molecules, especially their conductivity, chemical reactivity, etc. Light and matter (the famous vacuum fluctuations) are then said to hybridise. We posted a video online so that anyone can create the device if they want to. What is the reasoning behind this discovery? We nevertheless met with a good deal of resistance from the very beginning; the prestigious journals to which I submitted our finding quickly responded that it was science fiction. Our article was rejected by two journals, before being accepted by a third. Many people remained skeptical, even in the face of this first positive result. It is indeed highly counterintuitive, yet it is very real. This shows that nature is full of surprises, and that there are always new discoveries to be made, just as we constantly come across new landscapes. The eclectic nature of your teams appears to be another constant in your career. ![]() You have worked in the private sector during your career (the Japanese company NEC), and successfully filed dozens of patents. What possible applications are there for your research on light-matter hybridisation? Are collaborations with industry already underway? We want to know which specific vibration of a particular molecule has an influence on a given reaction. Or if you will, which musical note will make the audience react. We also want to explore the consequences for solid-state physics, and identify possible applications in medicine. For now, we only see the tip of the iceberg, but as I'm free to explore as I see fit, we will be able to make progress. ______________________________________________________ Nothing can stop light ![]() This curious phenomenon is well understood today, as the networks of holes actually function like an antenna: free electrons randomly assemble on the conductive surface of the metal plate in groups known as “plasmons.” These plasmons follow the pattern of the network, which is to say the distance between the holes, thereby “resonating” with it. It’s as though they form a magnifying glass above each hole, concentrating photons above the holes and re-emitting them. “While the probability of a photon passing between the holes is low at first, these ‘magnifying glasses’ greatly increase this probability,” Ebbesen explains. “The concentration is such that we end up with more light being transmitted than is allowed by the surface area occupied by the holes.” The discovery had its roots ten years earlier, when Ebbesen was working in Tokyo for the company NEC and came across an article by the physicist Serge Haroche. Since then it has given rise to numerous industrial applications, from improved laser quality to increased optical fibre capacity. Footnotes
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来源平台 | Centre national de la recherche scientifique |
文献类型 | 新闻 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/216144 |
专题 | 地球科学 |
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