Electromagnetic Waves Collide in Unprecedented Encounters

Researchers at the CUNY Graduate Center have discovered a way to manipulate photons so that they can collide and interact with each other, similar to how massive objects collide. By creating time interfaces in tailored metamaterials, the scientists were able to control the nature of the collision and whether the waves exchanged, gained, or lost energy. This breakthrough has significant implications for telecommunications, optical computing, and energy applications, allowing for advancements in wireless communications, imaging, computing, and energy harvesting technologies.