New Research Paves the Way for Improved Sensors and Quantum Computing.
By understanding the interactions between photons and matter, scientists can discover new pathways in quantum physics and materials science, leading to enhancements in new nano-photonics technology, optimizing pathogen detection processes, and controlling chemical reactions.
In this new study, researchers at the University of Birmingham have explored how photons emitted by atoms or molecules are influenced by their surrounding environment. Simultaneously, they captured images of these interactions: a groundbreaking achievement in the field of physics.
The findings have been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
A new theory explaining how light and matter interact at the quantum level has allowed researchers to “capture” a single photon for the first time – (Source: Dr. Benjamin Yuen).
“The geometric structure of the environment determines the interaction of photons with matter,” the authors stated.
“The geometric structure and optical properties of the environment profoundly affect how photons are emitted, including determining their shape, color, and even their existence,” co-author Angela Demetriadou added.
In the study, the team developed a theoretical model that categorizes the myriad interaction possibilities of light into distinct groups. This model describes the interaction between photons and their source, as well as how energy from this interaction propagates outward.
Photons are quantum mechanical objects—meaning they can be described as both waves and particles. However, these representations cannot fully capture the characteristics of photons and other fundamental particles.
This wave-particle duality makes it challenging to accurately determine the shape of each subatomic particle.
“Our calculations have turned what seemed to be an insurmountable problem into a computable one,” lead author Benjamin Yuen explained. “The results can also be considered a byproduct of the model; we were able to create images of photons—something that has never been seen before in physics.”
“This work enhances our understanding of the energy exchange between light and matter while providing deeper insights into how light is emitted into the nearby and distant environment,” Yuen stated.
“Much of the information previously regarded as “noise” can now be decoded and utilized. By understanding them, we have laid the groundwork for designing interactions between light and matter for future applications, such as better sensors, improved photovoltaic cells, or quantum computing.”
