NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In groundbreaking research, a team of scientists has successfully manipulated the behavior of light as if it were under the influence of gravity. This exciting development, published in Physical Review A on September 28, 2023, has significant implications for optics and materials science, as well as the future of 6G communications.
The concept behind this achievement is based on Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, which established that electromagnetic waves, including light, can be deflected by gravitational fields. Based on this theory, scientists recently proposed that the effect of gravity, known as pseudogravity, could be replicated by distorting crystals at low energies or frequencies.
“We set out to investigate whether lattice distortion in photonic crystals could cause a pseudogravity effect,” explains Professor Kyoko Kitamura from the Graduate School of Engineering at Tohoku University. Photonic crystals, which have unique properties, are the key to manipulating and controlling the behavior of light. These crystals
act acting as “motion controllers” of light within their structures. By periodically placing different materials that have the ability to interact with light and slow it down, scientists can achieve precise control over the propagation of light. In addition, previous research has observed pseudogravity effects caused by adiabatic changes in photonic crystals .
To test their hypothesis, Kitamura and her colleagues introduced lattice distortion into photonic crystals. This distortion consisted of a gradual deformation of the regular arrangement of elements, which disrupted the lattice structure of the crystals.
The result was the manipulation of the photonic stripe structure of the crystals, causing light rays to move along curved paths within the medium, similar to the bending of light rays around massive celestial bodies such as black holes.
In their experiments, the scientists used a silicon distorted photonic crystal with a primary lattice constant of 200 microns and terahertz waves. The results were striking and demonstrated the successful deflection of these waves.
“Just as gravity bends the path of objects, we have come up with a way to bend light within certain materials,” Kitamura added. This in-plane beam steering in the terahertz range could have widespread applications in 6G communications.”
Moreover, from a scientific perspective, the results suggest that photonic crystals can exploit gravitational effects, opening new paths in the field of graviton physics,” said Associate Professor Masayuki Fujita from Osaka University.
This groundbreaking research paves the way for future advances in optics and materials science.
The ability to manipulate the behavior of light using pseudo-gravity opens up new possibilities for technologies such as 6G communications. With further study and improvement, photonic crystals have the potential to revolutionize a variety of fields, unlocking the potential for unprecedented control over light and its applications.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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