FOCUS ing m e t h o d s such as this could be ext e n d e d t o u n i q u e applications such as m e a s u r e m e n t in hostile e n v i r o n m e n t s . H e a d d s t h a t these t e c h n i q u e s could be applied in all areas of t h e s p e c t r u m , n o t j u s t t h e infrared. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e technologies envisioned could, in N e s b i t t ' s words, " t r a n s l a t e into a n y a b sorption t e c h n i q u e t h a t is limited by shot noise." F r e d Lytle of P u r d u e University, an expert in t h e field of spectroscopy, suggests t h a t because solution applications would experience overtone p r o b lems a t t h e sensitivities described, initial efforts in applying squeezed light should be in nonsolution areas. I n particular, h e cites m e t h o d s for getting a b sorption spectra of ion b e a m s in m a s s spectrometers. O t h e r examples of possible future uses include two-dimensional t e c h n i q u e s such as gas chromatography a n d laser a b s o r p t i o n (suggested by Nesbitt). More unusual applications are also possible. A t S t a n ford University, David Bloom is using picosecond laser pulses t o t e s t circuit p a t h w a y s in microchips a n d is operating a t t h e shot-noise limit. Because Slusher h a s already d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e feasibility of pulsed squeezed light, work such as Bloom's could conceivably benefit. T h e lack of progress in generating squeezed states for m a n y years k e p t s c i e n t i s t s from e n v i s i o n i n g p o s s i b l e uses of this p h e n o m e n o n . N o w t h a t a working technology is closer t o reality, t h a t should change. In t h e near future, we can expect scientists from m a n y fields t o propose novel squeezed-light applications. T h a t process will feed back t o optics researchers, a n d great things will u n d o u b t e d l y ensue. S t a y tuned. Don Cunningham
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHEMISTRY?
• Chemistry helps Alvin and Jason Jr. explore R.M.S. Titanic. • An easy way to make diamond films. • Bringing atoms and molecules into view. I Ancient water helps tell time. • The chemical basis of memory. I New approaches to cancer therapy. • Solar-powered pesticides. • Key bacterial toxin discovered. I Organic chemicals challenge silicon's reign as king of semiconductors. These are among the most interesting and promising areas of chemical research discussed in the new edition of WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHEMISTRY?, the American Chemical Society's annual compendium of reports from the cutting edge of the chemical sciences. This award winning booklet is researched and written by Joseph Alper, a biochemist by training and one of the nation's outstanding science writers. WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHEMISTRY? is prepared for nontechnical readers. Anyone can be entertained and enlightened by its nearly two dozen articles. Paperbound copy $4.00 each Woods Hole Océanographie Institution photo by Rod Catanach
ORDER FORM What's Happening in Chemistry?
References QUANTITY
COST
@ $4.00 Foreign add
$1.50 TOTAL
ALL ORDERS MUST BE PREPAID Charge my D VISA/MasterCard G American Express D Diners Club/Carte Blanche G Barclaycard D Access Card I Exp. Date
Interbank i (MasterCard only)
Telephone Signature
.
Name Organization Address
(1) Slusher, R. E.; Hollberg, L. W.; Yurke, B.; Mertz, J. C ; Valley, J. F. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1985,55, 2409. (2) Wu, L.-A.; Kimble, H. J.; Hall, J. L.; Wu, H. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1986,57, 2520-3. (3) Xiao, M.; Wu, L.-A.; Kimble, H. J. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1987,59, 278-81. (4) Slusher, R. E.; Grangier, P.; LaPorta, Α.; Yurke, B.; Potasek, M. J. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1987,59, 2566-9. (5) Grangier, P.; Slusher, R. E.; Yurke, B.; LaPorta, A. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1987, 59, 2153-6. (6) Schumaker, B. L.; Perlmutter, S. H.; Shelby, R. M.; Levenson, M. D. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1987,58, 357. (7) Levenson, M. D.; Shelby, R. M.; Reid, M.; Walls, D. F. Phys. Rev. Lett. 1986,57, 2473. (8) Maeda, M. W.; Kumar, P.; Shapiro, J. H. Opt. Lett. 1987,12, 161.
City, State, Zip (ACS56170/7390/A113) American Chemical Society, Department of Public Communication 1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036
Suggested reading J. Opt. Soc. Am. B., October 1987.
346 A . ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 5, MARCH 1, 1988
