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NEW DELHI: A new type of crystal has been found to manipulate light in a manner reminiscent of the gravitational forces exerted by black holes. This phenomenon, termed "pseudogravity," opens the door to potential applications in 6G communication technology and offers new possibilities for exploring quantum gravity, reported Space.com The findings of this study were recently published in the prestigious journal Physical Review A.The research team, led by Kyoko Kitamura, a professor in the graduate school of engineering at Tohoku University in Japan, embarked on this study by working with photonic crystals which are crystals with a regular, grid-like structure composed of two or more arrangements, capable of slowing down the speed of light passing through them. The team initiated their experimentation by deliberately distorting these photonic crystals, disrupting their crystalline lattice, and then directed beams of light through the crystals, closely monitoring the light's deflection.Kitamura elaborated on the significance of their findings, explaining, "Much like gravity bends the trajectory of objects, we came up with a means to bend light within certain materials."The ability to manipulate light in this manner offers a potential pathway for the development of next-generation communication technology, specifically for 6G networks. These networks demand the transmission of information wirelessly at ultrahigh speeds, operating in the terahertz range (above 100 gigahertz). This is a significant leap beyond the capabilities of current 5G technology, which maxes out at 71 gigahertz. Researchers anticipate that creative manipulation of light is a key approach to achieving these frequencies, thereby revolutionising wireless communication.The applications of this newfound crystal are not limited to telecommunications. Study co-author Masayuki Fujita, an associate professor at Osaka University in Japan, highlighted the academic significance of the research. He said that these photonic crystals could potentially harness gravitational effects, opening up fresh opportunities within the field of graviton physics.Gravitons, hypothetical quantum particles that mediate the force of gravity, remain elusive to observation. Scientists have yet to fully conceptualise the properties and characteristics of these theoretical particles. Nonetheless, this research takes a step toward unravelling the mysteries of quantum gravity, potentially uniting quantum mechanics with Albert Einstein's theory of relativity.

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Distorted crystals: A revolution in 6G, quantum gravity research - IndiaTimes