A new study reports that researchers have demonstrated a way to control light with light using one third – in some cases, even less – of the energy typically required. The advancement, coupled with other developments, could ultimately lead to more powerful, energy-efficient computer chips and other optics-based technologies.

“Typically, symmetry connotes harmony and beauty. But not in this case. We’ve developed technology – an asymmetric metawaveguide – that enables a weak control laser beam to manipulate a much more intense laser signal”, says Liang Feng, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University at Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the study’s lead author.

The study – “Metawaveguide for Asymmetric Interferometric Light-Light Switching” – was published on October 31, 2016 in the journal Physical Review Letters. It was co-authored by researchers at California Institute of Technology and the City University of New York. (1)

The weak controlling the strong.

This has always been true.

Especially in humans.

Watch those shouting fiercely…

They are afraid…

And they shout it at you for you to help them…

Watch those shouting fiercely…

Silently.

Love is the power moving the world.

And people shouting fear love.

Know thyself. You are powerful. All you need to do is let go.

And love.

The weak controlling the strong. Their weakness is their strength…