Scientists Reveal New Properties of Light Waves Using 350-Year-Old Theorem
Scientists from the Institute of Technologies of Stephensa used a 350-year-old theorem that was originally used to describe the behavior of pendulums and planets to uncover new properties of light waves.
For centuries, scientists have debated whether light is a wave or a particle. Now, researchers from the Stevens Technology Institute have made a breakthrough by discovering a new connection between these two perspectives. They utilized a mechanical theorem from 350 years ago to explain the complex properties of light waves.
Under the guidance of Xiaofeng Qian, the team’s work has also provided the first evidence that the degree of non-quantum confusion of a light wave is directly and complementarily related to its polarization. This means that complex optical properties, such as amplitudes, phases, and correlations, can be determined based on a simpler dimension: light intensity.
The Qian team relied on a mechanical theorem developed by Christian Huygens in 1673, which describes how the energy required to rotate an object depends on its mass. They interpreted the intensity of light as analogous to the mass of a physical object and represented these dimensions in a coordinate system, which could be interpreted using Huygens’ theorem.
These findings have important practical implications as they enable the identification of subtle properties of optical systems through simpler measurements of light intensity. Furthermore, the studies suggest that mechanical systems could be used for modeling and enhancing our understanding of the complex behavior of quantum wave systems.
“This study helps simplify our understanding of the world by unveiling the inherent relationships between seemingly unrelated physical laws,” Tsyan remarked.