Monday 28 July 2025
Scientists have long been fascinated by the mysteries of light and its behavior at the nanoscale. Now, a team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in understanding how to control and manipulate light in tiny structures called Weyl semimetals.
These materials have unique properties that allow them to support exotic forms of electromagnetic radiation, like surface plasmons. When light interacts with these structures, it can create complex patterns and behaviors that are difficult to predict or control. But what if scientists could harness this power to create new technologies?
The researchers used a Weyl semimetal conical tip to study the behavior of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which are waves that propagate along the interface between two materials with different refractive indices. The team discovered that the axion term in the effective electrodynamics of these materials modifies the SPP dispersion relation, allowing all modes with a given sign of orbital angular momentum to be focused at the end of the tip.
In other words, this means that scientists can now control and direct light as it interacts with these tiny structures. This could have significant implications for fields like nanophotonics, where researchers are working to develop new technologies for manipulating light at the nanoscale.
The discovery also has potential applications in quantum communication protocols, which rely on the transmission of information through photons with specific properties. By controlling and directing light in this way, scientists may be able to improve the efficiency and security of these protocols.
But how does it work? The researchers used a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental techniques to study the behavior of SPPs in the Weyl semimetal conical tip. They found that the unique properties of the material allow for the creation of complex patterns and behaviors that are difficult to predict or control using traditional methods.
The team’s findings have significant implications for our understanding of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. By harnessing the power of these exotic materials, scientists may be able to develop new technologies that could revolutionize fields like quantum communication, nanophotonics, and more.
As researchers continue to explore the properties of Weyl semimetals, it’s clear that we’re on the cusp of a major breakthrough in our understanding of light and its behavior at the nanoscale. With this newfound control over light, scientists may be able to unlock new possibilities for manipulating and directing photons, paving the way for a new generation of technologies that could transform our world.
Cite this article: “Unlocking the Secrets of Light: Scientists Discover New Way to Control and Manipulate Nanoscale Light Behavior”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Weyl Semimetals, Light, Nanoscale, Surface Plasmons, Electromagnetic Radiation, Nanophotonics, Quantum Communication, Photons, Orbital Angular Momentum, Dispersion Relation.
