A researcher from Aston University has developed a groundbreaking technique utilizing light that could transform non-invasive medical diagnostics and optical communication. The study highlights the potential of a specific type of light, known as Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), to enhance imaging and data transmission through biological tissues such as skin.
Led by Professor Igor Meglinski, the research demonstrates that OAM light offers unparalleled sensitivity and precision, potentially eliminating the need for invasive procedures like surgery or biopsies. It could also enable doctors to track disease progression more effectively and plan treatments accordingly.
OAM, a type of structured light beam often referred to as vortex beams, has been previously used in fields like astronomy, microscopy, and optical communication. However, this new research—conducted in collaboration with the University of Oulu, Finland—shows that OAM retains its phase characteristics even when passing through highly scattering media, unlike traditional light signals. This allows it to detect minute changes in the refractive index with remarkable accuracy, reaching levels of precision up to 0.000001, far surpassing current diagnostic technologies.
Published in the Nature journal Light Science & Application, the study has been recognized as one of the year’s most exciting by Optica, a global optics and photonics organization. The research suggests that OAM light’s ability to travel through cloudy and scattering materials opens up exciting possibilities for biomedical applications, including the potential for more accurate, non-invasive methods to monitor blood glucose levels, offering a less painful solution for diabetes patients.
Professor Meglinski and his team conducted a series of experiments, sending OAM light through materials with varying levels of turbidity and refractive indices. They used advanced detection techniques, such as interferometry and digital holography, to analyze the light’s behavior. The results showed strong alignment with theoretical models, highlighting the robustness of this OAM-based approach.
As reported by news-medical.net, the researchers believe their findings lay the foundation for a range of transformative applications. By fine-tuning the initial phase of OAM light, they foresee revolutionary advancements in areas such as secure optical communication systems and next-generation biomedical imaging.
Professor Meglinski emphasized the potential impact of this technology, particularly in precise, non-invasive transcutaneous glucose monitoring, calling it a significant step forward in medical diagnostics. “Our study provides a deep understanding of how OAM light interacts with complex scattering environments, underscoring its versatility for future optical sensing and imaging applications,” he added.