shell

Science

Light spirals like a nautilus shell

The optical dequatic spiral follows a pattern frequently found in nature, including the shell of Nautilus. Credit: Capasso Lab / Harvard Seas Light beams that are guided into a corkscrew-like shape, known as optical vortices, are used today in a variety of applications. Pushing the limits of structured light, Harvard applies physicists from the John A. Paulson School of Engineering…