Darkness can "travel" faster than light speed

4 hours ago

Phase singularities are universal topological features found in various wave systems, including superfluids, superconductors, acoustic and optical fields.
This study directly measures ultrafast dynamics of optical singularity ensembles in phase space, revealing the joint distance–velocity distribution.
Results show a breakdown of the particle-singularity analogy, with phase singularities accelerating toward divergent velocities before annihilation.
Measured velocities exceed the speed of light, appearing superluminal, paradoxically amplified by slow group velocities in hyperbolic phonon polaritons.
The experiments used hexagonal boron nitride membranes and advances in ultrafast electron microscopy for high spatial and temporal resolution.
These findings deepen understanding of phase singularities and enable probing topological defect dynamics at previously inaccessible timescales.

Hasty Briefsbeta