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arXiv · 2509.12088

Spiraling light: Generating optical tornados

Dimitris Mansour·Apostolos Brimis·Konstantinos G. Makris·Dimitris G. Papazoglou
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Abstract

We experimentally generate optical tornado waves using spatial multiplexing on a single-phase modulation device. In their focal region, the intensity pattern outlines a spiral of decreasing radius and pitch. We examine the propagation dynamics of such novel waves and reveal the key factors that lead to angular acceleration. Moreover, we propose a two-color scheme that makes it possible to generate dynamically twisting light, an optical analog of a drill, that can rotate at THz frequencies.

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Dimitris Mansour, Apostolos Brimis, Konstantinos G. Makris, Dimitris G. Papazoglou. 2025-09-15. Spiraling light: Generating optical tornados. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.105.053514

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