Time as a Dimension: Scottish University Achieves Breakthrough in Light Manipulation

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) in Scotland announced on March 18 a breakthrough in manipulating light by adding the dimension of time. This achievement, led by Dr. Marcello Ferrera, transforms a scientific theory into reality. The team's work with transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), nanomaterials used in solar panels and touchscreens, allows for the control of photon speed. By radiating TCOs with ultra-fast pulses of light, researchers can control the direction and energy of individual photons. This "temporally engineered layer" enables light transformations, including amplification and the creation of quantum states. This discovery could revolutionize data processing, enabling faster speeds and greater volumes. Potential applications span optical computing, AI, integrated quantum technologies, and ultra-fast physics. Dr. Ferrera notes the potential for increasing computational speed by several orders of magnitude while reducing energy expenditure. Vladimir Shalaev and Alexandra Boltasseva from Purdue University, who assisted in the research, emphasized the energy-efficient manipulation of optical signals on unprecedentedly short time scales and the ability to engineer optical properties of compounds beyond current fabrication processes. The findings are published in *Nature Photonics*.