Inaugural lecture of Marlan O. Scully

The inaugural lecture of Marlan O. Scully newly elected honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences took place at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences on 10 October, 2016.

To view the inaugural lecture in full please click on the image below:

USING QUANTUM MECHANICS TO DETECT ANTHRAX
Marlan O. Scully
Texas A&M and Baylor Universities

Abstract

There is nothing so useful as good theory. As a case in point, the compelling need for standoff detection of hazardous gases and vapor indicators of explosives has motivated the development of remotely pumped, scheme(s) which produce radiation in the backward direction [1,2]. Moving from conceptualization to theoretical analysis and experimental verification, we demonstrate that high gain can be achieved in air. Backward air lasing provides possibilities for remote detection [3] as will be discussed.

In related work, the study of quantum coherence effects has lead to improvements in laser spectroscopy which allow us to “instantaneously” detect anthrax type endospores [4,5]. In the latter example, marker molecules in the endospore are put into maximal oscillation which is detected by scattering laser light off the coherently oscillating molecules. This is called coherent Raman scattering and is a type of Dicke superradiance. The preceding topics were tempered and advanced in the heat of vigorous debate.

___________
[1] Science, 331, 442 (2011).
[2] NJP, 15, 053044 (2013).
[3] Laser Physics Letters, 8, 736 (2011).
[4] Science, 316, 265 (2007).
[5] Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 105, 422 (2008).