New High-precision Distance-measuring Technology Capable of Measuring 1nm Gap at Range of Hundreds of km.

A Korean research team is drawing keen attention by developing a high-precision distance-measuring technology that is capable of measuring a gap of 1nm at a distance of hundreds of km.

KAIST develops core space technology, 'opens possibility for Korea's leap toward becoming nation of advanced space technology'

The research team led by Prof. Kim Seung-woo from KAIST's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Systems said on August 17 that it had developed a revolutionary high-precision distance-measuring technology that is capable of measuring in the 1nm range, overcoming the conventional resolution limit of 1mm in measuring long distances.

'Resolution limit' refers to the smallest unit of physical volume that a gauging device can possibly measure. A resolution limit of 1mm refers to a unit at which a device can measure the gap of 1 mm from a distance of several hundred km. The technology developed by Prof. Kim's team also overcomes the ambiguity that generally appears when measuring over long distances, and thus the technology theoretically can measure a distance of 1 million km without ambiguity.

In fact, the team successfully attained a 150nm resolution limit at a distance of 700m, and demonstrated that the new technology can allow for a resolution limit of 1nm in a vacuum state such as that which exists in space.

The study will bring scientists a step closer to the operation of a satellite fleet(the launch of small multiple satellites to measure the distance between satellites, and eventually to find a planet similar to the earth, or to verify the theory of relativity) aimed at discovering a planet similar to the earth; it also advances the possible development of future space technology for measuring distances between planets, and for verifying the theory of relativity.

High-precision measurement of distances between satellites and planets is a core technology in humanity's quest to find a planet similar to the earth or to verify the theory of relativity, and countries with advanced space know-how are scrambling to develop and secure such technology.

In explaining the significance of his study, Prof. Kim said, "With the development of technology that is capable of measuring distance at a resolution limit of 1nm, Korea has secured high-precision distance-measuring technology, a core part of future space technology such as that involving the operation of a satellite fleet," adding, "Korea has thus laid the foundation toward joining the league of countries with advanced technology."

The study was published on August 8 in the early online edition of Nature Photonics, a preeminent scientific journal in photonics.

Lim Eun-hee
redant645 at HelloDD.com twitter: at redant645

[September 03, 2010]

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Source - HelloDD.com