Physicists Discover How to Manipulate Light Using Photonic Crystals
Physicists at the Kyoto Institute of Technology have successfully distorted photonic crystals to alter the path of light, similar to the gravitational effects described by Einstein’s general theory of relativity. Led by electronics engineer Kanji Nanjyo, the research team believes that this breakthrough could have significant implications for the control of light, particularly in the fields of optics and communications technology.
The idea behind the experiment, according to Professor Kyoko Kitamura of Tohoku University, was to explore whether lattice distortion in photonic crystals could replicate pseudogravity effects. Just as gravity bends the trajectory of objects, the researchers devised a method to bend light within certain materials.
In the vast expanse of space, large objects such as galaxies and galaxy clusters can curve space-time so significantly that any light passing through it becomes smeared and distorted. However, as objects become smaller, gravity’s influence becomes harder to observe due to its diminishing strength.
To overcome these challenges, scientists hypothesized that photonic crystals could replicate this effect on a smaller scale. These crystals are highly ordered and repetitive nanostructures in which the refractive index of light changes periodically, giving rise to an iridescent appearance. Natural examples of these structures can be found in opals, peacock feathers, and the wings of butterflies.
The researchers set out to manipulate photonic crystal pseudogravity by experimentally distorting these structures. Using silicon photonic crystals, they deformed the spacing between the ordered elements, altering the crystal’s interaction with light. The result was a curved beam reminiscent of light bending around a miniature black hole.
The team validated their efforts through experiments in which they passed a beam through the distorted photonic crystal and observed how and where it emerged. The successful outcome not only offers new insights into the study of gravity, which remains incompletely understood, but also holds promising potential for technological development.
Physicist Masayuki Fujita of Osaka University suggests that the ability to control light within the terahertz range could be leveraged for 6G communication. Additionally, the findings indicate that photonic crystals could harness gravitational effects, laying the groundwork for advancements in graviton physics.
The study, titled “Gravitational Effects Produced by Distorted Photonic Crystals,” has been published in Physical Review A, further cementing the significant impact of this research on the scientific community.