Now, a magnetic gun that stops atom-sized bullets

Researchers at the University of Texas-Austin have developed a magnetic gun that can stop atom and molecule sized bullets in mid-air.

Washington, March 13 : Researchers at the University of Texas-Austin have developed a magnetic gun that can stop atom and molecule sized bullets in mid-air.

According to a report in Discovery News, this so-called coilgun, that works in reverse, could eventually help measure the mass of one of the most elusive and ubiquitous particles in the universe - the neutrino.

By capturing an atom of tritium, the heaviest form of hydrogen, the scientists hope to weighh neutrinos that spit out as the atom decays.

"What motivated this was weapons research," said Mark Raizen, a professor of physics at the University of Texas and one of the study's authors. "It's not often that weapons technology leads to basic research," he added.

Conventional guns use chemical explosives to create hot gas, which propels lead bullets down a barrel.

But, a coilgun accelerates a magnetic projectile, usually iron-based, with a series of coiled wires that create a strong magnetic field. There is no physical contact between the projectile and the coils.

"Only a few materials the size of real bullets are magnetic, but when you look at individual atoms, just about everything is magnetic," said Raizen.

The magnetic coilgun, developed by researchers at the University of Texas, consists of 64 hand-made units and is powered by its own capacitor.

For making it work, the researchers trap particles from the air, store them in a tiny chamber, and release them in the direction of the gun.

When a particle reaches the gun and encounters the coils, each coil's magnetic field progressively slows the particle down without touching it.

The coilgun has even brought atoms and molecules traveling at 500 meters per second (1,118 mph) to a compete stop.

"I think this research is fantastic. It has given us a new way to cool atoms and put us into the game of cooling hydrogen," said Marlan Scully, a physicist at Texas A and M University.

"This could be a great tool to help us understand the basic science of atoms," he added.

ANI