Trapped light generates nanoscale magnetization

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Published: 2026-09-02T22:41:05.541Z • Permanent link

Researchers from Cornell University's College of Engineering have made a groundbreaking discovery in the realm of metasurfaces, a type of engineered material that can manipulate light. Led by Dr. Alejandro Alù, the team has developed a new metasurface that can trap light and generate strong static magnetic fields without the need for external magnets or magnetic materials. This innovative approach has far-reaching implications for various fields, including data storage, communication systems, and medical imaging.

The Cornell researchers have been exploring the properties of metasurfaces for several years, and their latest breakthrough builds upon previous work. The team has designed a metasurface that consists of a series of nanostructured layers, each optimized for a specific wavelength of light. By carefully tuning the dimensions and arrangement of these layers, the researchers were able to create a metasurface that can trap light and generate a strong static magnetic field. This field is strong enough to be detected using standard magnetic field sensors, but it is generated entirely within the metasurface, without the need for any external magnets or magnetic materials.

The discovery was made possible by the work of a team of researchers who have been working together for several years to develop new materials and technologies. Dr. Alù, who is also a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Cornell, has been leading the effort. He is joined by a team of researchers from various departments across the university, including physics, materials science, and electrical engineering. The team's work has been supported by funding from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

The implications of this discovery are significant, particularly in the context of data storage and communication systems. Currently, many data storage devices rely on magnetic fields to store information, but these devices are limited in their capacity and reliability. The development of a metasurface that can generate strong static magnetic fields without the need for external magnets or magnetic materials could revolutionize the field of data storage. Imagine being able to store vast amounts of data in a device that is smaller, faster, and more reliable than current technology.

The research community is also excited about the potential applications of this technology in medical imaging. Magnetic fields are used in many medical imaging techniques, including MRI and PET scans. However, these techniques can be limited by the availability of strong magnetic fields. The development of a metasurface that can generate strong static magnetic fields without the need for external magnets or magnetic materials could open up new possibilities for medical imaging. For example, it could enable the development of smaller, more portable MRI machines that could be used in a wider range of settings.

The development of metasurfaces is just one part of a larger trend in materials science. In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the development of new materials with unique properties. This has been driven by advances in nanotechnology, which have enabled researchers to create materials with properties that are not possible with traditional materials. Other researchers have also been exploring the properties of metasurfaces, and there are already several companies and research institutions working on the development of metasurface-based technologies.