A recent study published in Nature Communications by physicists from Singapore and the UK has unveiled an optical analog of the Kármán vortex street (KVS). This discovery sheds light on the intriguing parallels between fluid dynamics and the energy flow of structured light. The lead author of the study, Yijie Shen, highlights the resemblance between a newly introduced type of light pulse and the swirling pattern of vortices observed in fluid dynamics. This optical KVS pulse exhibits a robust topological structure similar to skyrmions in condensed matter, opening up new possibilities for various applications.
Unlike previous studies on optical skyrmionic beams and pulses, the NDSTPs introduced in this research are not constrained by diffraction and can propagate over long distances without spreading. This unique feature allows for the persistence of skyrmionic field configurations, enabling the study of electromagnetic dynamics and potential applications in light-matter interactions, super resolution microscopy, and metrology. The novel approach presented in this study offers a fresh perspective on optical skyrmions in free space, emphasizing the importance of nondiffracting pulses in the field of optics.
The researchers anticipate that NDSTPs could inspire a wide range of applications, including information transfer, telecommunications, remote sensing, and LiDAR. By encoding topological features in the pulses, long-distance communication could be achieved, paving the way for advanced technologies in various industries. The deeply subwavelength singularities of these pulses hold promise for metrology and spectroscopy applications, further highlighting the versatility and significance of this research.
The study also delves into the historical background of the KVS, tracing its origins to classical flow patterns of swirling vortices and its aesthetic beauty. The intersection of science and the humanities is evident in the painting of St. Christopher with interlaced vortices, inspiring Theodore von Kármán’s research on vortex streets. The catastrophic event of the Tacoma Narrow Bridge in 1940, caused by vortex streets due to improper design, underscored the power and impact of the KVS, marking a significant moment in human history.
The optical analog of the Kármán vortex street presented in this study offers a fresh perspective on the dynamics of structured light and its applications in various fields. The unique characteristics of NDSTPs and their potential impact on information transfer, metrology, and spectroscopy demonstrate the importance of this research. By drawing parallels between fluid dynamics and light propagation, the study enriches our understanding of complex physical phenomena and opens up new possibilities for technological advancements.
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