Ivan A. Shelykh

The scientists called it the anomalous exciton Hall effect. It occurs when a laser affects a semiconductor plate in the presence of a magnetic field. This phenomenon can be potentially used for studying exciton quasiparticles.

This will potentially allow them to create more compact and efficient elements for lasers, sensors, and optical chips. Moreover, it proves the hypothesis that ITMO physicists had about the connection between a material’s refractive index and its electronic features.

Leading research groups in the field of nanophotonics are working toward developing optical transistors –  key components for future optical computers. These devices will process information with photons instead of electrons, thus reducing the heat and increasing the operation speed.