This extensive research, co-led by Dr. Pablo Díaz Núñez, has discovered an extraordinary behavior of light in gypsum. This relatively opaque mineral is essential in construction and agriculture. The research, published with DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw3452, aimed to enhance previous findings related to shear polaritons by focusing on a two-dimensional form of gypsum. The study’s findings were first released to the public on July 21, 2025, with the full story available through Phys.org.
Dr. Díaz Núñez and his team identified shear phonon polaritons in gypsum. This important signal builds upon knowledge around the light-responsive material’s properties. This unusual form of wave exhibits exotic features that would be able to achieve far-reaching impacts for the area of photonics. The researchers were particularly interested in understanding these phenomena in a two-dimensional system. Specifically, they wanted to expand the very narrow focus of past studies that mostly looked at bulk crystals.
Breakthrough Findings
The team’s impressive results are surprising considering they were trapping light in a place twenty-five times smaller than its wavelength. This unprecedented ability allows for new avenues in light manipulation at the nanoscale, which can significantly impact various technological applications, including telecommunications and sensor technology.
Dr. Díaz Núñez was thrilled with the results, noting the exciting things we can do with their research.
“Moreover, we were able to confine light to a space twenty-five times smaller than its wavelength and slow it down to just a fraction of its speed in vacuum. This opens up new possibilities for manipulating light at the nanoscale.” – Dr. Pablo Díaz Núñez
Importantly, the study uncovered new and interesting phenomena concerning shear phonon polaritons in gypsum. They advocate a sophisticated transition from hyperbolic to elliptical propagation, with a canalization occurring between these two conditions. This topological transition is pivotal for understanding how light behaves in different materials and can lead to innovations in light-based technologies.
Contextualizing the Research
Previous studies of shear phonon polaritons were mostly limited to bulk crystals working in the hyperbolic regime. Dr. Díaz Núñez’s team deliberately set out to improve upon previous results. They investigated shear polaritons in the context of a two-dimensional material. This change tremendously expands the scope of what we understand about polaritonic phenomena. Beyond the short term, the launches challenge existing theories related to light-matter interactions.
“The studies of shear phonon polaritons in previous studies were limited to bulk crystals in the hyperbolic regime. In our study, we aimed to complement those initial findings with shear polaritons in a 2-dimensional material,” – Dr. Pablo Díaz Núñez
Their groundbreaking research establishes gypsum as a promising solution for long-term research innovations and applications in phosphors and nanotechnology optics. Yet the far-reaching implications of these findings stretch well beyond theoretical innovation, promising to yield breakthroughs in a wide range of fields through superior optical devices.
Future Implications
Dr. Díaz Núñez and his groups’ findings could lead to new revolutionary technological advancements. When we start manipulating light at these small scales, new and exciting opportunities arise. This development opens new avenues toward novel optical communications, imaging systems, and quantum computing applications.
Scientists are now delving further into the properties of shear phonon polaritons in gypsum and other materials. Such insights have the potential to revolutionize our use of light in electronic devices and sensors, propelling society forward through advancements in nanophotonics.