Israeli-Led Research Achieves Ultrafast Control of Light Beams in Femtoseconds
A new international study involving Israeli researcher Dr. Lior Michaeli from Tel Aviv University has demonstrated a breakthrough in controlling light beams within just 74 femtoseconds, or less than a tenth of a trillionth of a second. This ultrafast manipulation surpasses the speed of conventional optical components, which typically operate much slower than the speed of light itself. The research, published in Nature Nanotechnology, was led by Dr. Claudio Heil of the University of California, Berkeley, with Prof. Harry Atwater of Caltech supervising the project.
Central to the innovation is a metasurface composed of a thin silicon layer embedded with nanoscale structures smaller than the wavelength of light. When illuminated by a short laser pulse, the metasurface temporarily alters the silicon’s properties, enabling rapid steering and shaping of light beams without any mechanical movement. Experiments showed the beam could be deflected up to 13 degrees in either direction and shaped into complex patterns by varying the illumination.
Dr. Michaeli explained that the metasurface’s function is dynamic and depends on the light pattern used to excite it, creating an ultra-thin, motionless device capable of near-instantaneous optical control. The speed of operation nearly matches the laser pulse duration, suggesting even faster control could be possible with shorter pulses. This capability could revolutionize optical communication and computing by allowing direct, ultrafast manipulation of light signals without converting them to electrical signals.
The researchers highlighted potential applications in optical computing, high-speed communication systems, sensors, and cameras capable of tracking extremely rapid processes. In the longer term, the technology may impact quantum photonics, where precise and fast light control is essential. While still at the fundamental research stage, the work opens new avenues for devices that not only transmit but also process information using light itself.
Summary: Israeli and international scientists have developed a metasurface enabling control of light beams within 74 femtoseconds, promising advances in ultrafast optical technologies and computing. This research, led by Tel Aviv University and UC Berkeley scientists, was published in Nature Nanotechnology.
