Led by researchers at the University of Eastern Finland, a recent study demonstrates that random light acquires an additional phase factor, known as the geometric phase, when its oscillation direction (i.e., polarization) is altered in a deterministic manner.

Light is an electromagnetic wave that oscillates periodically, and its phase refers to a specific point in the cycle. Light can be highly organized, meaning the waves oscillate in a specific direction, or its direction may involve randomness.

Previous studies have shown that altering the polarization of well-organized light leads to an accumulation of an additional phase. The current study extends the analysis to random light.