Physicists stored data in quantum holograms made of twisted light

[Judi Lynn]

A new experiment creates data-storing holograms from spiraling particles of light.

DRPIXEL/MOMENT/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

By James R. Riordon

FEBRUARY 7, 2023 AT 9:00 AM

Particles of twisted light that have been entangled using quantum mechanics offer a new approach to dense and secure data storage.

Holograms that produce 3-D images and serve as security features on credit cards are usually made with patterns laid down with beams of laser light. In recent years, physicists have found ways to create holograms with entangled photons instead. Now there is, literally, a new twist to the technology.

Entangled photons that travel in corkscrew paths have resulted in holograms that offer the possibility of dense and ultrasecure data encryption, researchers report in a study to appear in Physical Review Letters.

Light can move in a variety of ways, including the up-and-down and side-to-side patterns of polarized light. But when it carries a type of rotation known as orbital angular momentum, it can also propagate in spirals that resemble twisted rotini pasta.

More:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/quantum-hologram-physics-twisted-light

[The Magistrate]

1. It Just Makes Me Whimper By Now, Ma'am

In my heart I'm not comfortable with much more complex than a hammer....

[keithbvadu2]

3. Complicate physics equals twisted rotini pasta.

OK. That dumbed it down enough for me.