Physicists find light develops spin on its own in empty space

An international team led by the University of East Anglia showed that a suitably prepared light beam develops regions of left- and right-handed spin as it propagates through free space, with no lenses, mirrors or engineered materials. The effect is explained by the topology of the beam's polarization and could lead to more sensitive medical tests, secure communications and quantum technologies.

• Spinning regions emerge in the beam without any external optics as light travels
• The behavior is tied to the topology of the beam's polarization pattern
• Method could enable more sensitive detection of chiral drug molecules
• Work was led by UEA with researchers in South Africa