A team of scientists managed to 'tie light in knots'

A team of scientists managed to ''tie light in knots'', it has been disclosed.

The remarkable feat was achieved by physicists working at the universities of Bristol, Glasgow and Southampton.
The light was controlled using holograms specially designed with ''knot theory'' - a branch of abstract mathematics inspired by twists in shoelaces and rope.The breakthrough paves the way for a new level of precision in laser technology, with applications ranging from traffic speed guns to height measurement.
Dr Mark Dennis, from the University of Bristol, said: ''In a light beam, the flow of light through space is similar to water flowing in a river.
''Although it often flows in a straight line - out of a torch, laser pointer, etc - light can also flow in whirls and eddies, forming lines in space called 'optical vortices'.

Source

I am not sure how this new technology will develop aside from the above stated potential applications but I am sure it will be far more reaching then a cop's radar gun .



[edit on 19-1-2010 by Max_TO]

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