Oct 26, 2024
Researchers use magnetic fields to freeze light in its tracks
Posted by Paul Battista in categories: computing, particle physics
This finding, achieved independently by a team at Pennsylvania State University published in the same journal, holds immense potential for the development of nanophotonic devices.
Manipulating the flow of light in materials at small scales is crucial for creating efficient nanophotonic chips, the building blocks for future optical devices. In the realm of electronics, scientists can control the movement of electrons using magnetic fields.
The Lorentz force, exerted by the magnetic field, dictates the electron’s trajectory. However, this approach is inapplicable to photons – the fundamental particles of light – as they lack an electrical charge.