Scientists sculpt Einstein onto a crystal using only light

Science News from research organizations Scientists sculpt Einstein onto a crystal using only light Date: April 21, 2026 Source: XPANCEO Research on Natural Science LLC Summary: A light-sensitive crystal is opening the door to a new era of “light-written” technology. Arsenic trisulfide can be reshaped and permanently altered using simple light, creating ultra-fine optical patterns without expensive manufacturing tools. Scientists even etched a nanoscale portrait of Einstein and high-density patterns that could act as secure optical signatures. This breakthrough could power everything from advanced sensors to next-generation AR devices. Share: Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email FULL STORY A 532-nm continuous-wave laser “sculpted” microscopic patterns onto a flake of As₂S₃, including a monochromatic portrait of Albert Einstein (700-nm point spacing) and a QR-code-like design (600-nm point spacing). Credit: XPANCEO Researchers from the XPANCEO Emerging Technologies Research Center, working with Nobel Laureate Prof. Konstantin Novoselov (University of Manchester and the National University of Singapore), have uncovered unusual optical behavior in arsenic trisulfide (As2S3), a crystalline van der Waals semiconductor. Their findings show that this material can be permanently altered by light and even shaped at the nanoscale using simple continuous-wave (CW) light. This approach avoids the need for costly cleanroom fabrication or advanced femtosecond laser systems. A key concept behind this discovery is the refractive index, which describes how much a material bends or slows light. Materials with higher refractive indices are better at confining and directing light within devices. In certain materials, light can also change this property. This effect, known as photorefractivity, occurs when exposure to light alters the refractive index. In crystalline As2S3, this response happens even under low-intensity ultraviolet light. The study reports an exceptionally large change in refractive index (up to Δn ≈ 0.3), which exceeds the values typically observed in well-known photorefractive materials such as BaTiO3 or LiNbO3.

Why Strong Photorefractivity Matters for Technology Materials that respond strongly to light in this way are highly useful because they allow optical functions to be directly written into the material. Instead of relying on multiple mechanical or manufacturing steps, light itself can define how a device handles and directs light. This capability is important for many everyday technologies. It supports the creation of tiny structures that guide signals in telecommunications systems, enables compact optical components used in sensors and imaging devices, and allows the formation of hologram-like features used in product authentication and security.

Nanoscale Optical Patterns and "Optical Fingerprints" In As2S3, the effect is especially powerful at very small scales. The large change in refractive index allows the formation of extremely fine patterns that remain embedded in the transparent material. These patterns act as unique optical identifiers that are difficult to replicate, making them useful for anti-counterfeiting and traceability applications. To demonstrate this precision, the researchers used a standard laser to create a microscopic monochrome portrait of Albert Einstein on a thin piece of the material, with points spaced just 700 nanometers apart. Further experiments showed that the technique can achieve even finer resolution (to ~50,000 dots per inch, which corresponds to 500 nanometers between points). The resulting patterns show strong optical contrast because of the light-induced refractive index changes, making them easy to detect with optical methods. Light-Driven Materials and the Future of Photonics "The discovery of new functional materials, particularly within the unique family of van der Waals crystals, is the fundamental engine for moving the entire field of photonics forward. Developing sophisticated optical devices, such as advanced smart contact lenses, is a deeply complex challenge that requires a solid foundation in fundamental materials science. In these systems, the material itself is the key component that determines what is physically possible. By identifying natural crystals with this level of sensitivity, we are effectively providing the essential building blocks for a new generation of technology that is driven entirely by light rather than electricity," said Valentyn Volkov, Founder and Chief Technology Officer at the XPANCEO Emerging Technologies Research Center.

Expanding Crystals Enable New Optical Devices Beyond patterning, As2S3 also changes physically when exposed to light. The material can expand by as much as 5%, allowing researchers to directly form optical structures such as microlenses and diffraction gratings on its surface. These capabilities are important for building wide field-of-view waveguides used in augmented reality glasses and smart contact lenses. The material's responsiveness also makes it promising for use in photonic circuits and nanoscale sensors. Together, these properties represent a significant step forward in controlling and manipulating light for next-generation technologies. RELATED TOPICS Matter & Energy Engineering and Construction Nanotechnology Materials Science Physics Science & Society Security and Defense Energy Issues Patents and Trademarks STEM Education RELATED TERMS Solar power Nanorobotics Nanotechnology Alternative fuel vehicle Robot Technology Nanoparticle Retail Story Source: Materials provided by XPANCEO Research on Natural Science LLC. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Anton A. Minnekhanov, Georgy A. Ermolaev, Alexey P. Tsapenko, Ilia M. Fradkin, Gleb I. Tselikov, Adilet N. Toksumakov, Aleksandr S. Slavich, Arslan B. Mazitov, Sergey A. Smirnov, Nikita D. Orekhov, Ivan A. Kruglov, Sergei A. Ivanov, Ilya P. Radko, Andrey A. Vyshnevyy, Aleksey V. Arsenin, Kostya S. Novoselov, Valentyn S. Volkov. Giant photorefractive and photoexpansion effects in a van der Waals semiconductor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2026; 123 (13) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2531552123 Cite This Page: MLA APA Chicago XPANCEO Research on Natural Science LLC. "Scientists sculpt Einstein onto a crystal using only light." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 April 2026. . XPANCEO Research on Natural Science LLC. (2026, April 21). Scientists sculpt Einstein onto a crystal using only light. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 21, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260421042755.htm XPANCEO Research on Natural Science LLC. "Scientists sculpt Einstein onto a crystal using only light." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/04/260421042755.htm (accessed April 21, 2026). Explore More from ScienceDaily RELATED STORIES How Scientists Made Quantum Dots Smarter and Cheaper Aug. 15, 2025 — Researchers have found a clever way to make quantum dots, tiny light-emitting crystals, produce streams of perfectly controlled photons without relying on expensive, complex electronics. By using a ... Saving Energy: New Method Guides Magnetism Without Magnets June 17, 2025 — In a leap toward greener tech, researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have discovered a way to control magnetic textures using electric fields no bulky magnets needed. Their star material? A ...

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