Edison Bulb-like Tech Creates Twisted Light 100 Times Brighter Than Before

Researchers at the University of Michigan (UMich) have made a breakthrough in light technology by developing “twisted light,” technically referred to as elliptically polarized light. Unlike traditional light sources that emit either linearly polarized or unpolarized light, twisted light possesses a helical structure that allows for enhanced differentiation of colors, textures, surfaces, and directions.

Nicholas Kotov, a chemical engineering expert and co-author of the study, explained that this technology could enable autonomous vehicles to distinguish between objects with similar wavelengths but different helicity. For instance, it could differentiate between a deer and a human, as the curl in deer fur contrasts with the texture of human clothing.

The researchers used tungsten wires and carbon nanotubes to create a unique emitter of twisted light. By twisting these materials, they achieved a match between the length of each twist and the wavelength of the emitted light, resulting in a light emission similar to what a “twisted blackbody” would produce. Typically, blackbody radiation involves objects emitting and absorbing photons at a given temperature, usually resulting in unpolarized light. However, in this case, the structured emitter generated elliptically polarized light, which is a novel accomplishment in the study of blackbody radiation.

Jun Lu, the lead author of the study, noted that this discovery stemmed from revisiting the principles of the century-old filament bulb technology. He explained that the method did not rely on photon and electron excitations but instead utilized a similar approach to Edison’s original design. Kotov further highlighted the significance of advancements in the physics of blackbody radiation and how the findings could apply to everyday emitters.

The brightness of this new twisted light is a standout feature, being 100 times brighter than previous methods. This increase in brightness, combined with a broad spectrum of wavelengths and twists, opens up exciting opportunities for practical applications. The researchers believe that this technology could enable robots and autonomous vehicles to achieve vision capabilities comparable to mantis shrimp, marine animals known for their ability to detect ultraviolet and infrared light and distinguish complex twists and patterns.

This groundbreaking study was published in the journal Science.