Photonic device makes light any color by manipulating individual photons [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

By Michael Irving
April 25, 2021



A new optical device manipulates the frequencies of individual photons to change the color of light on demand NataliGiado/Depositphotos

Engineers at Stanford have created a new optical device that can easily manipulate light into basically any color desired. The system uses a series of modulators to fine-tune the frequencies of individual photons to change their color.

Our eyes perceive the color of light based on the frequency at which its photons resonate. Lower frequencies correlate with longer wavelengths, which is a measure from one peak to the next if you map out those frequencies. In the visible light spectrum, we can see from the longer wavelengths of red light to the shorter wavelengths of blue light.

The Stanford team has now created an optical device that can tweak the frequencies of individual photons. That not only changes their color, but by mixing these photons of different colors to different degrees, a beam of light can be fine tuned into basically any color that’s needed.

The new device consists of a low-loss wire, with a series of rings dotted along it. As photons travel through this wire, they move into the rings where modulators transform their frequency. There can be as many rings as necessary to change the light into the desired color.

More:
https://newatlas.com/electronics/photonics-color-light-photons/