Re: Quantum entanglement propulsion

From: Joe Strout (joe_at_strout.net)
Date: 08/12/04 

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 09:48:41 -0500
To: sci-space-tech@moderators.isc.org

In article <cfd4fv$t79$1@newstree.wise.edt.ericsson.se>,
 "Hans" <nospam@nospam.se> wrote:

> Here is an article on the subject.
> http://www.spacedaily.com/news/physics-04w.html
>
> Almost sounds too good to be possible.

Not "almost" -- it is blatent nonsense.

Even accepting the premise (that ionizing large numbers of cesium atoms
on the ground could result in similar ionization of cesium atoms on the
ship), the conclusion is a non sequitur:

" A resulting ion stream, produced without the benefit (or hindrance,
for that matter) of any form of internal engine system onboard the
spacecraft, could propel the craft through space [without any onboard
power source]."

How, exactly? Ions don't just magically sense which way you want to go
and propel your craft in that direction. They don't propel your craft
at all -- unless you throw them out the back. Which is, of course,
exactly what an ion engine does.

The author seems to be under the misconception that the work of an ion
engine is in creating the ions, rather than in accelerating them.

His second suggestion, the "telephotonic" drive, is equally nonsense.
"In the case of a telephotonic drive powerful enough to propel a
spacecraft, earthbound electric plants (nuclear or otherwise) would
generate the power for a laser beam which would then be teleported to a
spacecraft."

He seems to be confusing the teleportation of quantum state (which is
possible) with the teleportation of actual photons (which is not).

The physicists who started using the term "teleportation" for the
transfer of quantum state are partly to blame for this confusion. But
mostly the author is to blame for writing such bunk without first
acquiring even a layman's understanding of the phenomenon his on which
his schemes are based.

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