Researchers Develop Bright, Twisted Light Using Nanostructured Filaments

A new method inspired by Edison’s lightbulb creates chiral light, unlocking potential for robotics, imaging, and data transmission.

Scientists at the University of Michigan have engineered nanostructured filaments to produce bright, elliptically polarized light, also known as twisted or chiral light.
The innovation relies on blackbody radiation emitted by twisted tungsten filaments, achieving brightness levels up to 100 times greater than traditional methods.
Twisted light offers promising applications in robotic vision, enabling autonomous systems to differentiate objects based on unique light polarization patterns.
Potential uses include improved medical imaging, materials science, and more efficient and secure data transmission through optical fibers.
Researchers are exploring further refinements, such as developing lasers for precise twisted light emission and extending applications into the infrared spectrum.