QuantumPhys.org Quantum1h ago
Reading hidden topology in light, even when energy leaks away
TL;DRScientists discovered stable wave patterns in materials that survive energy loss, similar to knots in rope.
Why it matters: Could enable more robust quantum computing and photonic devices that maintain functionality despite real-world inefficiencies.
When I explain topology to students, I start with a knot in a rope. You can stretch it, twist it or shake it, but the knot stays until you cut the rope. Physicists have found that some materials and devices carry similar "knots" in how waves move through them. These are…
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