[Dakar]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science...eut/index.html

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LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Beaming people in "Star Trek" fashion is still in the realms of science fiction, but physicists in Denmark have teleported information from light to matter bringing quantum communication and computing closer to reality.

Until now scientists have teleported similar objects such as light or single atoms over short distances from one spot to another in a split second.

But Professor Eugene Polzik and his team at the Niels Bohr Institute at Copenhagen University in Denmark have made a breakthrough by using both light and matter.

"It is one step further because for the first time it involves teleportation between light and matter, two different objects. One is the carrier of information and the other one is the storage medium," Polzik explained in an interview on Wednesday.

The experiment involved for the first time a macroscopic atomic object containing thousands of billions of atoms. They also teleported the information a distance of half a meter but believe it can be extended further.

"Teleportation between two single atoms had been done two years ago by two teams, but this was done at a distance of a fraction of a millimeter," Polzik, of the Danish National Research Foundation Center for Quantum Optics, explained.

"Our method allows teleportation to be taken over longer distances because it involves light as the carrier of entanglement," he added.

Quantum entanglement involves entwining two or more particles without physical contact.

Although teleportation is associated with the science-fiction series "Star Trek," no one is likely to be beamed anywhere soon.

But the achievement of Polzik's team, in collaboration with the theorist Ignacio Cirac of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany, marks an advancement in the field of quantum information and computers, which could transmit and process information in a way that was impossible before.

"It is really about teleporting information from one site to another site. Quantum information is different from classical information in the sense that it cannot be measured. It has much higher information capacity and it cannot be eavesdropped on. The transmission of quantum information can be made unconditionally secure," said Polzik whose research is reported in the journal Nature.

Quantum computing requires manipulation of information contained in the quantum states, which include physical properties such as energy, motion and magnetic field, of the atoms.

"Creating entanglement is a very important step, but there are two more steps at least to perform teleportation. We have succeeded in making all three steps -- that is entanglement, quantum measurement and quantum feedback," he added.

I'm sure this being feasible for anything significant is still decades off (and who knows about using it for living objects), but how cool is that?

[Gossamer]

Oh wow, I can't wait until I can teleport to classes in the winter...it's already getting cold.

[Mastrap]

Wow!

[E's Lil Theorem]

Nifty

The concept of teleportation is freaking awesome. If I were a superhero, I'd want teleportation as one of my powers

[Dark Helmet]

I used to think teleportation was cool until I found out how it works (in theory) and then it kinds grossed me out.

The short answer is it scans you, transmits the data to another location that re-creates you and then destroys the original.

So it is more like you are being copy, pasted and then trashing the original.

Yuck.

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I used to think teleportation was cool until I found out how it works (in theory) and then it kinds grossed me out.

The short answer is it scans you, transmits the data to another location that re-creates you and then destroys the original.

So it is more like you are being copy, pasted and then trashing the original.

Yuck.

So if it doesn't destroy the original, is it just a duplicator? Or is the original destroyed in the teleportation?

[rickey939]

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I used to think teleportation was cool until I found out how it works (in theory) and then it kinds grossed me out.

The short answer is it scans you, transmits the data to another location that re-creates you and then destroys the original.

So it is more like you are being copy, pasted and then trashing the original.

Yuck.

I don't know if its gross, but disturbing, yes.

I'd heard of that before as well.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I used to think teleportation was cool until I found out how it works (in theory) and then it kinds grossed me out.

The short answer is it scans you, transmits the data to another location that re-creates you and then destroys the original.

So it is more like you are being copy, pasted and then trashing the original.

Yuck.

That's how it worked in Star Trek too, and just about every other bit of Sci-Fi. You're always destroyed at one end and recreated from the data at the other.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Gossamer

So if it doesn't destroy the original, is it just a duplicator? Or is the original destroyed in the teleportation?

Technically it is a duplicator they just destroy the original so you don't have 2 of the same person walking around. That is why in Star Trek there was that episode where a transporter problem resulted in 2 Rykers because the original didn't get destroyed.

The main problem with it is that it takes a TON of power to duplicate somebody and more data then we can comprehend.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Technically it is a duplicator they just destroy the original so you don't have 2 of the same person walking around. That is why in Star Trek there was that episode where a transporter problem resulted in 2 Rykers because the original didn't get destroyed.

The main problem with it is that it takes a TON of power to duplicate somebody and more data then we can comprehend.

Now you've done it...

The 2nd Riker, did not result because the original wasn't destroyed in transport. The problem was that there was massive interference in the atmosphere and, in order to compensate, the transporter chief initiated a second transfer beam to sort of boost the signal. One of those transfers was able to make it through the atmosphere re-materializing Lt. Riker on the ship, but the second was reflected back also re-materializing Lt. Riker on the surface.

Sigh, who knows if I'll be able to re-bury all that geekiness now...

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Technically it is a duplicator they just destroy the original so you don't have 2 of the same person walking around. That is why in Star Trek there was that episode where a transporter problem resulted in 2 Rykers because the original didn't get destroyed.

The main problem with it is that it takes a TON of power to duplicate somebody and more data then we can comprehend.

Still, you'd need to add more energy and matter to complete such an action.

Or atmospheric interference to bounce the signal back to the original transporter.

Whichever.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Now you've done it...

The 2nd Riker, did not result because the original wasn't destroyed in transport. The problem was that there was massive interference in the atmosphere and, in order to compensate, the transporter chief initiated a second transfer beam to sort of boost the signal. One of those transfers was able to make it through the atmosphere re-materializing Lt. Riker on the ship, but the second was reflected back also re-materializing Lt. Riker on the surface.

Sigh, who knows if I'll be able to re-bury all that geekiness now...

Ya I figured it was something like that but I didn't want to get too geeky.

Either way it shows he was trying to make another copy.

[Dakar]

This thread has reminded me I've been jonesing for some good Trek lately.

Despite my better judgement, I might pick up that Time Travel DVD collection.

[brassplayersrock²]

at first i thought this was a spam thread, BUT my assumption was wrong. cool article dakar! and thanks for sharing

if this ever gets out of the water, it would make traveling so much easier for everyone

Alex

[Dakar]

I figure at the very least, maybe this will get a lot of Tractor Trailers off the road.

[brassplayersrock²]

yeah i hate those things, esp passing them. gah, that's a good point you made dakar. wanna run for president? you seem much smarter than the current one. (i know this sounds like sarcasum, but i'm actually being serious)

[osiris]

My only fear is the whole Galaxy Quest 'inside-out exploding pig' thing. Eeeewe.

[nonhuman]

Originally Posted by osiris

My only fear is the whole Galaxy Quest 'inside-out exploding pig' thing. Eeeewe.

That only happens if you use a transporter powered by Windows.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

That only happens if you use a transporter powered by Windows.

Of course!

[Dark Helmet]

Ok I got it.

Transporting is like... dragging a file to another volume while holding the command button

[itai195]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Now you've done it...

The 2nd Riker, did not result because the original wasn't destroyed in transport. The problem was that there was massive interference in the atmosphere and, in order to compensate, the transporter chief initiated a second transfer beam to sort of boost the signal. One of those transfers was able to make it through the atmosphere re-materializing Lt. Riker on the ship, but the second was reflected back also re-materializing Lt. Riker on the surface.

Sigh, who knows if I'll be able to re-bury all that geekiness now...

This is a whole new side of you...

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Ok I got it.

Transporting is like... dragging a file to another volume while holding the command button

So is it murder if the original copy is destroyed?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Gossamer

So is it murder if the original copy is destroyed?

Euthanasia

[Gossamer]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Euthanasia

Hm...this idea opens up a huge can of worms.

[Dakar]

There was science fiction short story written about this. They made it into an Outer Limits episode 5 years later.

[Rumor]

They could use transporters to combine human and rabbit DNA more easily.

[osiris]

This could also be used to create a giant army of clones.
- A rabbid army of rabbit hybrids, eating human heads like lettuce. ouch.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Rumor

They could use transporters to combine human and rabbit DNA more easily.

Watch the fly.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Watch the fly.

Excellent documentary. Didn't much care for the conclusion drawn from the follow up 20 years later, Fly II.

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by nonhuman

That's how it worked in Star Trek too, and just about every other bit of Sci-Fi. You're always destroyed at one end and recreated from the data at the other.

What was the deal with that one where Barkeley was afraid of the transporter because he was seeing worms inside it and then it turned out that the worms were actually people who were stuck "in between?"

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Uncle Skeleton

What was the deal with that one where Barkeley was afraid of the transporter because he was seeing worms inside it and then it turned out that the worms were actually people who were stuck "in between?"

I liked that one but it made no sense. You wouldn't be conscious or be able to move when being transported.

The thing I never got with star trek is how they could beam someone up when they are not on a transporter device.

Same goes for beaming to a location.

Fine, they might have some beam that can send the info but what puts them back together and where does the power come from?

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I liked that one but it made no sense. You wouldn't be conscious or be able to move when being transported.

True dat.

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

The thing I never got with star trek is how they could beam someone up when they are not on a transporter device.

Same goes for beaming to a location.

Fine, they might have some beam that can send the info but what puts them back together and where does the power come from?

I was just thinking about this.

<nerd>They probably send a highly focused subspace stream to the location. This explains why it takes more energy</nerd>

[osiris]

Good point Dark Helmet, wouldn't there be a multi-dimensional coordinate system pin pointing what was being transported to where? Assuming that each point in the universe is entirely unique, that is.

I think that power in the future will be beamable on a laser or microwave.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by osiris

Good point Dark Helmet, wouldn't there be a multi-dimensional coordinate system pin pointing what was being transported to where? Assuming that each point in the universe is entirely unique, that is.

I think that power in the future will be beamable on a laser or microwave.

Still, how do you send data to a specific location and have it compile itself from energy into matter at an exact position (so the bottom of your feet touch the ground) without a device at the other end?

In reverse they would need a beam that can scan you at your location, copy your information and vaporize the original when the copy arrives in the transporter.

Star Trek sorta was conflicting about this as the bridge crew always went to the transporter room to beam somewhere or to transport people from one ships transporter room to the other. Then sometimes they did sight to sight transports straight from the bridge to another location. I mean why not ALWAYS use sight to sight as it saves a trip to the transporter room an elevator ride away.

I think transporters would make more sense if they worked by using portals/wormholes. That way no information needs to be copied with margin for error and you aren't actually copying and destroying a person. You can also just step through it and be in another location instantly.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I mean why not ALWAYS use sight to sight as it saves a trip to the transporter room an elevator away.

I'm pretty sure its been explained as using far more energy. And in the old days, it was unreliable.

[ghporter]

I just want my freakin' flying car!!! Walter Cronkite promised that we'd all have these by "the 21st century" and we're in the 21st century. So where's my freakin' flying car?

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by ghporter

I just want my freakin' flying car!!! Walter Cronkite promised that we'd all have these by "the 21st century" and we're in the 21st century. So where's my freakin' flying car?

Here you go.

[SpaceMonkey]

If I can't use it to beam things off of the holodeck, then it ain't worth sh!t.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Rumor

Here you go.

I mean a REAL one, one that's manufactured in quantity and reasonably priced. And the traffic control system needed to make it safe as well.

In reality the LAST thing I'd like to see around here is the kind of drivers we have in flying cars! Oh the horror! They can't handle two dimensions; give 'em three to mess around in and that would just be three dimensions for them to mess UP in. Nope. The majority of people here are such bad drivers that they don't even know that there are more than one exit from parking lots-they clog ONE exit and ignore all the others-and of course block everyone else from doing anything.

But give ME a flying car so I can get around them, and I'd be happy.

[Dakar]

I don't need a flying car, but a hover car would be cool. No more changing tires.

Now I'll just have to worry about the entire undercarriage being shredded should the anti-gravs fail.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Dakar

I'm pretty sure its been explained as using far more energy. And in the old days, it was unreliable.

Well in the future they don't use money so they shouldn't worry about getting the electricity bill.

Plus it couldn't possibly use as much as Lt. Barkley having virtual dates and falling asleep on the holodeck (same technology as transporters) or 1 second at traveling a billion times the speed of light.

I hate the excuses they used on trek.

For one I would have used the phasers to punch a tiny hole in an enemies shields and then transport a torpedo onto the bridge.

When the ships transporters were offline they always seemed to forget their were independent ones on each shuttle.

They also let a bad guy run around on the enterprise without being able to "lock onto" him because he took off his communicator yet they can beam anyone off a planet with no communicator at the push of a button.

All that aside they can easily instantly clone people for whatever use by transporting someone and not destroying the original. Why order someone to their death if you can just beam a copy down and let them do it?

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by ghporter

In reality the LAST thing I'd like to see around here is the kind of drivers we have in flying cars!

Ya really, can you imagine soccer moms with 4 screaming kids flying around and landing on your house? Or a bunch of rednecks flying around pissing on people.

Until those things are fully computer controlled and have air roadways that don't go over houses they better not see the light of day.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I hate the excuses they used on trek.

They do call it science fiction for a reason.

[Dark Helmet]

Originally Posted by Dakar

They do call it science fiction for a reason.

That's an easy excuse.

Star Trek hired REAL scientists to make sure the stuff they came up with has scientific basis.

Plus you don't say something in one episode and conflict it in the next. That isn't science fiction, that is bad writing.

[tooki]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

So it is more like you are being copy, pasted and then trashing the original.

Yuck.

Well, that's how all file "moving" on computers is done. The computer reads the original data, then writes the same data to the destination, repeats this until the whole file is copied, and then deletes the original.

tooki

[The Godfather]

The superstring theory states that your atoms are simply stationary waves on "superphysical" (I made it up) strings. If this theory were to be proved, you would realize that your atoms are not as unique, essential, indispensable and irreplaceable as you think, whether you enter the tele-transporter or not.

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally Posted by tooki

Well, that's how all file "moving" on computers is done. The computer reads the original data, then writes the same data to the destination, repeats this until the whole file is copied, and then deletes the original.

tooki

Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better.

[Gossamer]

Yeah, it's the 'original gets deleted' part that makes me squeamish.

[osiris]

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Still, how do you send data to a specific location and have it compile itself from energy into matter at an exact position (so the bottom of your feet touch the ground) without a device at the other end?

I wish I could answer that... so that a pebble or a grain of sand could be discernible from the transportee, otherwise you'd end up beaming a planet.

All I can imagine is that DNA would be required to match what is being sent to where, and on the return (without a platform) only the known DNA would be transported.

Wormholes open up a whole new can of worms. (sorry)
Humans might be crushed by the intense G forces?... I have no idea.