Scientists manage to 'tie light in knots'

A TEAM of scientists has managed to "tie light in knots".

The remarkable feat was achieved by physicists working at the universities of Bristol, Glasgow and Southampton.

The light was controlled using holograms specially designed with "knot theory" – a branch of abstract mathematics inspired by twists in shoelaces and rope.

The breakthrough paves the way for a new level of precision in laser technology, with applications ranging from traffic speed guns to height measurement.

The team were able to create knots in optical vortices, using the sophisticated holograms to direct the flow of light, said Dr Mark Dennis from the University of Bristol, lead author on the paper published in Nature Physics.

This research demonstrates a physical application for a branch of mathematics previously considered completely abstract.