Number 3 (Story #3), October 11, 1990 by Phillip F. Schewe and Ben Stein INHIBITION OF SPONTANEOUS EMISSION: Scientists at Brown University have succeeded in at least partly inhibiting spontaneous emission of laser-excited dye molecules by embedding them in an array of polystyrene spheres suspended in water. The spheres are transparent to radiation at some wavelengths and opaque at others, particularly in certain directions as defined by the geometry of the polystyrene array. By studying the inhibition of spontaneous emission, scientists hope to make lasers more efficient and hope to learn more about various quantum-electrodynamic effects. (Physical Review Letters, October 8, 1990; contact Nabil M. Lawandy at Brown University, 401-863-2755.)