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Quantum optics

Maxwell's demon opens new doors

Maxwell's demon has now been realized using laser light. The ability to let atoms pass one way but not the other through a light 'gate' could provide new means to cool atomic and molecular vapours.

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Figure 1: Atomic energy levels and optical transitions required for Maxwell's demon to operate.
Figure 2: Optical realization of Maxwell's demon.

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Correspondence to Bretislav Friedrich.

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Marian, A., Friedrich, B. Maxwell's demon opens new doors. Nature Photon 2, 463–464 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.145

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