Scientists Uncover Hidden Property of Light That Twists Matter Sideways

Hokkaido University researchers developed a 3D measurement platform to map forces and torques on nanostructures.

Using gold V-shaped structures, they observed a sideways rotation called transverse optical torque.

The team found that optical helicity, not angular momentum, is what drives this effect.

The result reveals a hidden light-matter interaction mechanism that could aid nanomachines and sensing.