Tying knots in light fields

DOI10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.111.150404arXiv1302.0342WikidataQ51147991 ScholiaQ51147991MaRDI QIDQ6239280FDOQ6239280

Authors: Hridesh Kedia, Iwo Białynicki-Birula, Daniel Peralta-Salas, William T. M. Irvine 

Publication date: 2 February 2013

Abstract: We construct a new family of null solutions to Maxwell's equations in free space whose field lines encode all torus knots and links. The evolution of these null fields, analogous to a compressible flow along the Poynting vector that is both geodesic and shear-free, preserves the topology of the knots and links. Our approach combines the Bateman and spinor formalisms for the construction of null fields with complex polynomials on $mathbb{S}^3$. We examine and illustrate the geometry and evolution of the solutions, making manifest the structure of nested knotted tori filled by the field lines.

This page was built for publication: Tying knots in light fields

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q6239280)