First vortex beam made entirely of atoms

An image several bright yellow-orange concentring rings in a line

Source: © Science/AAAS

Twisting atoms’ quantum mechanical wave function into a helix could reveal insights into atom–matter interactions

Researchers in Israel have created the first vortex beams made of atoms and molecules. The experiments, which manipulate atoms’ wave function to carrying an orbital angular momentum, could offer insights into the fundamental properties of matter.