Bad connection of optical cable（光ケーブルの接続不良）

Attracted the attention of the world "superluminal particle" is a bad connection of optical cable connecting the clock was the cause of the false positives. (Gap) has led to the measurement errors of 1.5 mm only fatal gap generated between the cable and the receiver.

"Our experimental results showed again to fix the bad connection was consistent with the speed of light in the range of error"

Morning of the 8th international conference was held in Kyoto. When you announced the denial of superluminal research team, the anticlimactic end of the drama also say simple mistakes, sigh leaked from several hundred physicists gathered at home and abroad.

"(Where the connection of the cable) was found in their cause. I usually do not touch anyone was good but, did not have enough .... Check if noticed before the announcement (in September last year)"

Associate Professor of Nagoya University Komatsu, Masahiro research team met, we look serious explanation.

Gap is likely not in the beginning of the experiment, after mounting the wrong someone has to remove the cable for some reason. Since the signal itself had received any bad connection, a little bit late notice.

Said: "The truth is there was no mistake with the technique to verify the information to the public. One, the conclusion whatever," said Associate Professor Komatsu indifferently. It really is an elementary mistake. Before the contents are only released in serious, I was over the details need to be verified.




世界中の注目を集めた「超光速粒子」は、時計をつなぐ光ケーブルの接続不良が誤認の原因だった。ケーブルと受信機の間に生じたわずか１・５ミリの隙間（すきま）が致命的な測定ミスにつながった。
「接続不良を直して再び実験したところ、誤差の範囲で光速と一致した」
８日午前、京都市で開かれた国際会議。研究チームが超光速の否定を発表すると、単純ミスともいえるあっけない幕切れに、集まった数百人の国内外の物理学者からため息がもれた。
「（ケーブルの接続場所は）通常は誰も触れないところ。原因を自分たちで見つけられたのはよかったが、（昨年９月の）発表前に気付いていれば…。チェックが足りなかった」
会見した研究チームの小松雅宏名古屋大准教授は、神妙な表情で釈明した。
隙間は実験の開始当初にはなく、誰かが何らかの理由でケーブルを取り外した後に取り付けを間違えた可能性がある。接続不良でも信号自体は届いていたので、気付くのが遅れた。
「結論はどうであれ、真実は一つ。情報を公開して検証した手法に間違いはなかった」と、小松准教授は淡々と語った。本当に初歩的なミスですね。内容が重大なだけに発表する前に、細部に渡る検証が必要でしたね。