Physicists discover “astonishing” property of light that defies expectations
Scientists have uncovered a surprising hidden ability of light that allows it to develop spinning, twisting behavior as it travels through empty space, without special lenses, mirrors, or materials. Researchers discovered that light’s internal geometry can naturally produce left- and right-handed patterns, challenging long-standing assumptions about how light behaves. By carefully arranging a beam’s structure…
Key points
- Light can develop spinning patterns as it travels through empty space without lenses or mirrors.
- The discovery was led by the University of East Anglia with scientists in South Africa.
- Possible future uses include medical tests, communications and quantum technologies.
An international team led by the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, working with scientists in South Africa, has found that light can develop spinning patterns as it moves through empty space. The effect does not require special lenses, mirrors or engineered materials, according to the research.
The team said the finding reveals a hidden geometric structure in light that can influence how it behaves. The work, titled 'Topological Control of Chirality and Spin with Structured Light', was published in the journal Light: Science & Applications.
How the effect works
The researchers prepared a beam of light in a particular balanced configuration. In that state, the beam starts with no spin, but regions with spinning behavior appear and separate as it travels through free space.
The team used topology, a branch of mathematics dealing with properties that stay unchanged when objects are stretched or reshaped, to explain the result. Dr. Isaac Nape of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg compared it to a mug and a doughnut, which share one hole and can be morphed into each other.
Our work shows that light can naturally develop this handed behavior all on its own.
— Dr. Kayn Forbes
Possible future applications
The discovery could eventually lead to more sensitive medical tests, faster and more secure communications, and advanced quantum technologies, the article states. Structured light could help scientists distinguish left-handed and right-handed forms of molecules used in medicines.
Other possible uses include smaller optical sensors, encoding more data into light beams, and manipulating microscopic particles, cells and molecules. The article notes these applications remain possibilities for future development.
