Light bending material

Since the last century, scientists have discovered that large amounts of matter can bend light. But, recently, US scientists have discovered the opposite, light can bend matter.

In the dark lab, the scientists linked the nanoparticles together into a strip. The nanoparticles were flat, but when exposed to light, they eventually formed a curve, forming a spiral.

Picture 1 of Light bending material

Image of nanofibers being impacted by light energy.

Professor Nicholas Kotov explains: The surface of the nanoparticles in the experiment contains cadmium sulfide, which is negatively charged. When colliding with the nanoparticles, the energy of the photon knocks the electrons of the nanoparticles in active state, leading to chemical reactions and causing them to carry a lot of negative charge. Because the two electric charges together (negative) push each other should appear material "bent".

"A layer of nanoparticles starts pushing other nanoparticles into mechanical stress." In order to release mechanical stress, the nanoparticles appear to bend, " Kotov said.

This is like pulling a lanyard on a gift box. The flattened cord after being pulled also becomes a spiral.

Spiral structure is extremely important for the study of optics, helping scientists study new materials that involve many other technologies.