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Health & Science2h 38m ago
Researchers observed a mobile obstacle in a superfluid of light moving upstream, against the flow, in experiments involving a laser beam and rubidium-87 atoms.
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Sorbonne University, University of Porto, Côte d'Azur University, Paris-Saclay University
Who
Researchers at Sorbonne University, University of Porto, Côte d'Azur University, and Paris-Saclay University, including Quentin Glorieux and Pierre-Élie Larré
What
Researchers observed a mobile obstacle in a superfluid of light moving upstream, against the flow, in experiments involving a laser beam and rubidium-87 atoms.
When
Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:20:01 GMT · 2h 38m ago
Where
Sorbonne University, University of Porto, Côte d'Azur University, Paris-Saclay University ·
Why
The phenomenon is attributed to quantized vortices in the wake of the obstacle acting as momentum-transfer agents, creating local density gradients that generate a hydrodynamic force antiparallel to the incident flow.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
This discovery could advance the understanding of quantum fluids and self-propulsion phenomena, potentially enabling the design of light-driven optical devices that navigate nonlinear optical fields without external steering.
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