2012 Physics Nobel for Haroche and Wineland

Serge Haroche of France and David Wineland of America together won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics for inventing methods to observe the bizarre properties of the quantum particles without disturbing them. This thing was previously thought unattainable.

What is their invention?

• Their inventions are the methods by which quantum particles like atom, electron or photon can be observed while preserving their quantum properties. Earlier, the problem was that these particles after they are separated from surrounding lose their specific properties due to interaction with the environment. But using the novel methods it will now be feasible to separate and observe these particles without destroying their characteristics.

What can be its possible implementation?

• The ground-breaking research has already enabled scientists in construction of ultra precise clocks. Its major application can be in the development of new superfast computers based on quantum physics.