Scientists have unlocked a new way to control ionization, the process where atoms lose electrons, using specially designed light beams
By leveraging optical vortex beams, light that carries angular momentum, they can precisely dictate how electrons break free from atoms. This discovery could reshape imaging technology, enhance particle acceleration, and open doors to advancements in quantum computing.
Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of everything around us. Occasionally, they lose electrons and become charged particles, a process known as ionization. This phenomenon occurs in lightning, plasma TVs, and even the northern lights. Until now, scientists believed their ability to control ionization was quite limited.
A research team led by Ravi Bhardwaj, Full Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Department of Physics, and PhD student Jean-Luc Begin, in collaboration with Professors Ebrahim Karimi, Paul Corkum, and Thomas Brabec, has introduced a groundbreaking method to manipulate ionization using specially structured light beams.
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