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Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Preparation of Liquid Crystal Networks for Macroscopic Oscillatory Motion Induced by Light
Published on: September 20, 2017
Superfluid motion of light
Patricio Leboeuf1, Simon Moulieras
1Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modèles Statistiques, CNRS, Université Paris Sud, UMR8626, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France.
Abstract:
Superfluidity, the ability of a fluid to move without dissipation, is one of the most spectacular manifestations of the quantum nature of matter. We explore here the possibility of superfluid motion of light. Controlling the speed of a light packet with respect to a defect, we demonstrate the presence of superfluidity and, above a critical velocity, its breakdown through the onset of a dissipative phase. We describe a possible experimental realization based on the transverse motion through an array of waveguides. These results open new perspectives in transport optimization.
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