Scientists observe quantized transverse drift of light
Mar 2nd 2026
Researchers have demonstrated that light can drift in quantized steps like electrons in the quantum Hall effect, a result that could enable optical standards for measurement and advance quantum photonics.
- An international team including Philippe St-Jean reports in Physical Review X that photons can exhibit a quantized transverse drift similar to the quantum Hall effect for electrons.
- The observed effect produces universal, steplike plateaus analogous to electronic quantum Hall plateaus even though photons are electrically neutral.
- Reaching the result required precise control of inherently out of equilibrium photonic systems and advanced experimental engineering to manipulate and stabilize light.
- Potential applications include new optical standards for precision measurement, more robust quantum photonic devices, and extremely sensitive environmental sensors.
- The finding could accelerate integration of photonic platforms into quantum information processing and metrology, but practical use will require further engineering and independent validation.