Patterns exist all around the world, creating unforgettable designs exhibited by organisms and acts of nature. Some of these designs even share surprising connections, like a spiral shape seen in both marine mollusks and a newly discovered structure of light that moves like a vortex. A recent study found that the movement of this light vortex — called an optical rotatum — occurs in a way that is very similar to the Fibonacci sequence, the mathematical concept behind many of nature’s most iconic designs.
The study, published in Science Advances, shows an unprecedented perspective on how light demonstrates parallels with nature. With its unorthodox movements, the optical rotatum could open new possibilities for matter manipulation.
The shape of a vortex emerges in familiar phenomena such as tornadoes and whirlpools, and it’s even responsible for the formation of galaxies. Beams of light can be twisted to form optical vortices that take ...
