Change the direction of light without using matter

[LightNg]

As topic: changing the direction of light without using any matter, this precludes reflection and refraction using mirror or transparent mediums.

So I am looking is some sort mean to alter its direction using other energy(e.g. heat).
So that I can use light to carry information without using matter. Is that possible?
I know that in GR gravity can change light direction, but that is not easily doable in my room. So I am looking for other means.

Basically what I am want to do is to build an energy circuit using EM wave, heat or whatever energy, as opposed to traditional electronic circuit using wire/silicon. So the whole circuit is made using energy. Ok the input and output devices of the whole thing can only be matter, but the core circuit is purely in energy form. Is that possible?

 

[Bloodthunder]

Don't think so.
Btw, if you're wondering, large electric and magnetic fields don't warp light.

 

[cosmik debris]

I think you need a black hole, but getting one in your room will be hard. How big is your room?

 

[AstrophysicsX]

Objects like the Sun can bend light. I'm guessing that anything with a huge amount of mass can distort light.

 

[KingNothing]

Sorry man, it's not going to happen. You will need active devices to build anything useful.

 

[LightNg]

My room is only 30meter^2. So tough luck i guess. Relying on gravity is too difficult.

 

[EinsteinKillr]

Heat could actually be the answer, although statistically hard to predict. I am, of course, assuming that there is air in the room. Heating the air above a region significantly higher or lower than the air adjacent to it would cause a refraction event. Like I said, however, it wouldn't be very predictable. Sounds like something to try in the lab though.

 

[ZapperZ]

Heat could actually be the answer, although statistically hard to predict. I am, of course, assuming that there is air in the room. Heating the air above a region significantly higher or lower than the air adjacent to it would cause a refraction event. Like I said, however, it wouldn't be very predictable. Sounds like something to try in the lab though.

Unfortunately, "air" is matter. So your suggestion doesn't fit into the requirement.

Furthermore, one doesn't have to test this in a lab. You only need to look at the "mirage" one sees from air movement off a hot pavement or street from very far away.

Zz.

 

[EinsteinKillr]

Unfortunately, "air" is matter. So your suggestion doesn't fit into the requirement.

Furthermore, one doesn't have to test this in a lab. You only need to look at the "mirage" one sees from air movement off a hot pavement or street from very far away.

Zz.

Agreed, air is matter, but he did say he was working in his dorm room, which I suppose has air in it (at least for his sake). As for the lab, I was just curious what relationship there might be between dt and dtheta and if this could be put to any practical use.

 

[LightNg]

Yea, can't use air, if not I might just use glass as well.

Is there any way to alter the direction of light using interaction of some sort with interference pattern of light itself?

With some proper set up I think interference pattern can used to amplified/nullified light wave of particular region of wave projection. But I am not sure altering direction though.

Altering direction is useful so as to route the information around the circuit.

 

[Redbelly98]

I think you need a black hole, but getting one in your room will be hard. How big is your room?

Objects like the Sun can bend light. I'm guessing that anything with a huge amount of mass can distort light.

Black holes and the sun are made of matter, and thus are disqualified.

Is there any way to alter the direction of light using interaction of some sort with interference pattern of light itself?

No.

With some proper set up I think interference pattern can used to amplified/nullified light wave of particular region of wave projection. But I am not sure altering direction though.

No, sending light through some kind of interference pattern will not alter its direction.

 

[gillwill]

So something like optical vortices wouldn't apply?

 

[miosim]

Sorry,

I mistakenly posted my responce here.

 

[pete20r2]

So photons cannot collide?

 

[Drakkith]

So photons cannot collide?

Nope. If they did, I doubt we would be able to use light to "see" anything.

 

[mrspeedybob]

Gravity from a large object does deflect light, light has momentum, so the law of conservation of momentum requires that the large object is also effected by the passing light. This implies that light can be a source of gravity.

Since light is a source of gravity then 2 beams of light which pass close to each other will alter each others trajectories.

Good luck using this (or even observing it) with equipment you may have in your dorm room, the deviations will be far too small.

 

[Drakkith]

Gravity from a large object does deflect light, light has momentum, so the law of conservation of momentum requires that the large object is also effected by the passing light. This implies that light can be a source of gravity.

Since light is a source of gravity then 2 beams of light which pass close to each other will alter each others trajectories.

Good luck using this (or even observing it) with equipment you may have in your dorm room, the deviations will be far too small.

Yep. See here for more: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=154391