Scientists have shown that gamma rays can be bent like ordinary light, in an experiment that opens the door to far-reaching new fields of imaging research.
Gamma rays are essentially a highly energetic form of light. Having the ability to bend and focus them could lead to powerful new medical applications, including imaging techniques.
One potential use is the remote scanning of nuclear materials or radioactive waste, with implications for combating terrorism.
Gamma rays can penetrate almost any material, including thick layers of lead. They can also distinguish between different atomic versions, or isotopes, of the same element.
A gamma scanner, using a focused beam, could look for... read more