Category: Education

Chennai, June 25: The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has introduced a QR code-based e-petition system aimed at simplifying and speeding up the process of addressing public grievances, marking a significant step towards digital governance in the education sector.

The initiative was launched by the School Education Minister as part of the state’s broader push to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in public service delivery. The system allows citizens, parents, and stakeholders to register complaints and submit petitions by scanning a QR code, enabling direct digital access to the grievance redressal platform.

Officials stated that the new mechanism is designed to reduce procedural delays, eliminate paperwork, and ensure faster resolution of issues related to school infrastructure, administration, and student welfare. Each grievance submitted through the system will be digitally tracked, allowing users to monitor the status of their petition in real time.

The department noted that the initiative is expected to improve accountability and strengthen communication between the public and education authorities. By leveraging simple digital tools like QR codes, the system aims to make grievance registration more accessible, even in semi-urban and rural areas.

Education officials highlighted that the move aligns with Tamil Nadu’s ongoing efforts to integrate technology into governance and improve service delivery across departments. The QR-based system is also expected to reduce dependency on physical visits to offices, making the process more user-friendly and efficient.

Experts believe such digital interventions can significantly enhance responsiveness in the education system while encouraging greater public participation in governance. The initiative is part of a larger trend of adopting e-governance solutions to modernise administrative processes and improve citizen experience.

With the launch of the QR code-based e-petition system, the School Education Department aims to set a precedent for other departments to adopt similar technology-driven grievance redressal mechanisms in the future.

EThames Business School Transforms into Telangana’s First AI-Native Business School

 

 

Hyderabad, June 24, 2026: EThames Business School (EBS), one of Hyderabad’s leading institutions for business education, today announced its transformation into Telangana’s first AI-Native Business School at a special event held at its campus.

The transformation marks a significant shift in management education, with Artificial Intelligence being integrated into every aspect of teaching, learning, research, innovation, industry engagement, and student development.

To mark the occasion, students and faculty presented a unique skit titled “AI Tools Speak, Humans Decide.” Characters representing leading AI platforms—ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Perplexity, Copilot, and Grok—competed to persuade students to choose/use them. As the students became increasingly confused by the competing claims, professors stepped in to deliver the central message: use AI responsibly, think critically, question intelligently, and never allow Artificial Intelligence to replace Human Intelligence.

Students, faculty members, and institutional leaders also took separate pledges to use AI responsibly, ethically, and professionally. Certificates were presented to faculty and students who completed the institution’s AI-Native transformation programme. A commemorative AI-Native cake was also cut to celebrate the milestone.

 

Addressing an audience of more than 200 students, faculty members, industry leaders, and ecosystem partners such as V.V. Laxmi Narayana, IPS (Retd), Chief Transformation Officer, EThames Business School; Dr. Raghavendra Hunasgi, Venture Investor / CEO String Metaverse; Murali Bukkapatnam, Former Chairman, Global Board of Trustees, TiE; Bipin Chandra Pendyala, President, HYSEA; Ajit Rangnekar, former Dean ISB and others, Kali Prasad Gadiraju, Chairman, EThames Business School, said that the institution’s AI transformation journey began over a year ago.

“This is not merely the launch of a new initiative. It is our response to one of the most significant transformations in human history. For more than two centuries, educational institutions have prepared students for the world of work. Today, the world of work is changing faster than our educational institutions. If the world has changed so dramatically, how can education remain the same?” he asked.

He said that just as computer literacy became essential in the 1990s, AI literacy and AI capability have become essential today.

“Nobody asks students to perform complex calculations without a calculator. Calculators make us faster, more accurate, and more productive. Similarly, AI can help students learn faster, understand deeper, research better, and create more effectively. At EThames, we believe AI should not replace thinking—it should amplify thinking. AI should not replace learning—it should accelerate learning. That is why we have reimagined our classrooms, our faculty, and our learning environment to become AI-Native,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, V.V. Laxmi Narayana, IPS (Retd.), Chief Transformation Officer, EThames Business School, described AI as the next great chapter in humanity’s technological evolution.

“The Wheel transformed transportation. The Printing Press transformed knowledge. Electricity transformed industry and everyday life. The Computer transformed productivity. The Internet transformed communication. Smartphones transformed access. And now Artificial Intelligence is transforming everything,” he said.

Unlike earlier inventions that transformed specific aspects of life, AI is influencing every field simultaneously—from education, healthcare, business, and manufacturing to finance, media, governance, research, and creativity, he observed.

 

Addressing concerns about job losses due to AI, he said such fears have accompanied every major technological revolution.

“When railways arrived, people feared the end of traditional travel. When computers were introduced, many predicted widespread unemployment. When ATMs emerged, people said bank branches would disappear. None of those predictions came true. Technology changes jobs; it does not eliminate human potential. AI may replace certain jobs. AI will not replace capable human beings. The future belongs to those who are lifelong learners,” he said.

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Shukla, Director, IIIT Hyderabad, who joined virtually as Guest of Honour, lauded EThames Business School’s pioneering initiative. “AI is no longer a technology of the future. It is a reality of the present. Educational institutions must equip students not only to use AI tools but also to think critically, innovate responsibly, and work effectively alongside AI,” he said.

EThames can be a good laboratory for AI innovation—a place where the rigid boundaries of traditional pedagogy dissolve to make way for a fluid, intelligent ecosystem, said Dr. Raghavendra Hunasgi, Venture Investor / CEO String Metaverse

Murali Bukkapatnam, Former Chairman, Global Board of Trustees, TiE, said: “A school is not its machines. A company is not its algorithms. A future is not artificial. It is—and always will be—its people. By building Telangana’s first AI-Native Business School, EThames is also building a more human future.”

Bipin Chandra Pendyala, President, HYSEA, highlighted the distinction between AI students and AI-Native students. “AI students learn Artificial Intelligence as a subject. AI-Native students learn, think, collaborate, and innovate with AI as an integral part of their academic and professional journey. The future belongs to AI-Native talent,” he said.

Dr. Mani Pavitra said India has the potential to become the world’s largest creator economy.

“Having helped professionals create more than 100,000 reels, I have learned that the future belongs to those who create more than they consume. If our youth combine AI with character, execution, and innovation, they will not merely compete globally—they will build solutions for all eight billion people on Earth,” he said.

The event was attended by students, faculty members, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and members of the broader innovation ecosystem.

Guwahati, June 23: The Government of Assam has announced the introduction of supplementary examinations for Higher Secondary students, aiming to provide an additional opportunity for those who could not clear one or more subjects in the regular examination cycle.

The initiative is designed to ensure that students are given a fair chance to improve their academic performance without having to lose an entire academic year. Officials said the move is part of broader efforts to make the education system more flexible, supportive, and student-centric.

Under the new arrangement, eligible students will be able to reappear in specific subjects through the supplementary examination system. This is expected to reduce academic stress and help students continue their studies without long interruptions.

The Assam education department is expected to release detailed guidelines shortly, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, exam fees, and the schedule for the supplementary examinations. Schools and students have been advised to follow official notifications for accurate updates.

Education officials highlighted that the decision aligns with the state’s focus on improving learning outcomes and reducing dropout rates at the Higher Secondary level. By offering an additional examination window, the government aims to strengthen academic continuity and ensure that students are not held back due to limited assessment opportunities.

The move is also expected to encourage better performance in future examinations, as students will have an additional chance to clear subjects and progress in their academic careers.

Overall, the initiative reflects Assam’s commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive education system that prioritizes student success and long-term educational development.

 

Ultrasonic measurements reveal magnetic quantum oscillations only after YbB₁₂ transitions into a metallic state

Magnetic quantum oscillations have been unexpectedly observed in insulators, where freely moving charge carriers are not expected to exist. A joint study by researchers from Tokyo University of Science, The University of Tokyo, and Kobe University investigated this puzzling behavior in the Kondo insulator YbB₁₂ using ultrasound. While no oscillations were detected in the insulating state, clear signals emerged after the material became metallic, offering new insight into unusual quantum behavior in next-generation materials.

Tokyo, June 23: The organization and movement of electrons within a material determine whether it conducts electricity, behaves magnetically, or even becomes superconducting. Since this electronic behavior cannot be observed directly, scientists study it by observing how materials respond to external forces such as magnetic fields. One important method involves magnetic quantum oscillations (MQOs), tiny repeating changes in physical properties that occur when electrons reorganize into specific energy states under a magnetic field.

MQOs are usually observed in metals and semimetals, where electrons can move freely through the material. However, unexpectedly, they have also been found in insulators, which do not host freely moving charged quasiparticles or a Fermi surface, leaving open the question of what causes these oscillations.

Now, a research team led by Dr. Ryosuke Kurihara of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), Japan, in collaboration with Dr. Atsuhiko Miyata of the Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo,Japan, Dr. Shusaku Imajo of the Department of Advanced Materials Science, The University of Tokyoand Dr. Ruo Hibino of the Department of Physics at Kobe University, Japan, has observed quantum oscillations in the field-induced metallic phase of ytterbium dodecaboride (YbB₁₂) using ultrasonic measurements, while notably finding no such oscillations in its insulating state. Their findings, published in the journal Physical Review B on June 16, 2026, provide new insight into the puzzling behavior of this topological Kondo insulator.The paper was also selected as an Editors’ Suggestion, a distinction awarded by the journal to highlight particularly significant and noteworthy research.

“Since it is known that the quantum oscillations of YbB₁₂ are sample-dependent, we wanted to verify whether quantum oscillations are truly invisible with ultrasound by using a sample in which quantum oscillations have already been confirmed, and the data have been compiled into a paper. In our previous ultrasonic studies of YbB₁₂, no quantum oscillations were detected.Furthermore, if quantum oscillations are not visible with ultrasound, there must be some underlying physics that explains why they are not visible, and we wanted to verify that as well,” says Dr. Kurihara.

YbB₁₂ is a Kondo insulator, a material in which strong interactions between electrons open an energy gap at low temperatures, causing it to behave as an insulator despite exhibiting unusual metallic-like electronic properties. However, previous magnetoresistance measurements, which track how a material’s electrical resistance changes in a magnetic field, detected quantum oscillations while the material was still insulating. This contradicted the conventional understanding that MQOs require freely moving charged particles.

To better understand this behavior, the researchers performed bulk-sensitive ultrasonic experiments on a high-quality crystal of YbB₁₂ that had already shown quantum oscillations in earlier magnetoresistance studies. They exposed the material to magnetic fields of up to 65 T while cooling it to temperatures as low as 485 mK, close to absolute zero.

The researchers used ultrasonic measurements to track how the material’s elastic properties responded to magnetic fields, focusing on two elastic constants known as C11 and C44. In the insulating state below the field-induced insulator-to-metal transition near 45 T, the team found no clear evidence of magnetoacoustic QOs (MAQOs). Instead, they observed unusual features in the longitudinal elastic constant C11, including subtle dip-like and kink-like changes around 10 and 30 T, as well as another anomaly near 39 T. However, once YbB₁₂ transitioned into a metallic state above approximately 45 T, clear quantum oscillations appeared in both acoustic modes, suggesting that sound waves interacted more strongly with quasiparticles in the metallic phase.

The researchers suggest that the absence of MAQOs in the insulating state may result from weak coupling between the proposed fermionic quasiparticles and acoustic phonons, the vibrations that carry sound through the material. In addition, the large cyclotron mass of these quasiparticles may suppress the oscillatory signal, making it difficult to detect using ultrasound.

By clarifying when and how these oscillations appear, the study may help researchers better understand unusual quantum states in materials and advance the search for next-generation quantum materials.

“Our findings provide further information on the puzzling behavior of the insulating state of YbB₁₂,”saysDr. Kurihara.

 

New Delhi, June 23: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the results of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026, bringing relief to lakhs of students seeking admission to undergraduate programmes across India.

Candidates who appeared for the examination can now access their scorecards through the official CUET portal by logging in with their credentials.

According to NTA, over 15.68 lakh candidates had registered for the exam, while around 11.64 lakh students appeared. The examination recorded nearly 67.56 lakh test attempts, reflecting wide participation across subjects and regions. Candidates were allowed to choose up to five subjects, resulting in a large number of subject combinations.

The gender-wise participation included approximately 5.78 lakh male candidates, 5.85 lakh female candidates, and two transgender candidates.

In a social media update, the NTA said that the results are now available and advised students to download their scorecards from the official website.

The agency has also urged candidates to carefully verify all details on their scorecards, including personal information and subject-wise scores. Any discrepancies should be reported to the authorities for correction.

Earlier, NTA released the final answer key after reviewing objections to the provisional version. Seven questions were found to have technical issues and were removed from the final evaluation.

The CUET-UG 2026 examination was conducted between May 11 and May 31, with a few papers held on June 6 and June 7. The final answer key was issued before the declaration of results, completing the evaluation process.

Officials noted that the results mark an important step for students transitioning into undergraduate admissions across central and participating universities.

Ahmedabad, June 23: In a significant step towards expanding access to education, the Gujarat government has converted 28 retired state transport buses into mobile classrooms for children living in the state’s salt-producing regions.

The initiative, titled “School on Wheels,” is aimed at addressing the educational challenges faced by children of salt-pan workers, many of whom live in remote areas with limited access to schools. Frequent migration and long distances often disrupt the learning process for these children.

The refurbished buses have been equipped to function as classrooms and will travel to salt-producing belts, bringing education directly to underserved communities. The programme seeks to ensure that children can continue their studies without interruption, regardless of their location.

Officials said the initiative is part of broader efforts to promote inclusive and equitable education, particularly for vulnerable communities. By taking classrooms to students rather than requiring students to travel long distances, the programme aims to improve attendance, learning continuity, and educational outcomes.

The “School on Wheels” project has been widely viewed as an innovative approach to bridging educational gaps and ensuring that no child is left behind due to geographical or socio-economic barriers.

With the launch of the mobile classrooms, Gujarat is reinforcing its commitment to making quality education accessible to children in even the most remote corners of the state.

Bhubaneswar, June 22: The Higher Education Department of Odisha has published the first merit list for undergraduate admissions for the 2026–27 academic session, with over 1.78 lakh students selected for admission across various colleges in the state.

The announcement marks the beginning of the UG admission process for the new academic year, enabling shortlisted candidates to proceed with the next stages of counselling, document verification, and seat allocation as per the admission schedule.

According to officials, the merit list has been prepared based on academic performance and eligibility criteria set by the department to ensure a transparent and merit-based selection process. The admission system is designed to streamline enrollment across higher education institutions in the state.

Students included in the list will now be required to complete the necessary admission formalities within the stipulated timeline. Authorities have advised candidates to carefully follow official instructions to confirm their seats.

The department stated that subsequent merit lists will be released in phases to accommodate remaining seats and ensure maximum participation in the admission process.

Officials have also encouraged students to regularly check the official admission portal for updates regarding counselling schedules and further rounds of selection.

The initiative aims to facilitate a smooth, transparent, and efficient admission process for undergraduate education across Odisha.

The Great Journey of Mass Communication: From Radio and Doordarshan to Digital Streaming

There was a time when information traveled slowly but carried immense value. Families gathered around radio sets to hear news bulletins, cricket commentary, and cultural programs. Later, television became the centerpiece of every household, bringing the nation together through shared experiences. Newspapers arrived every morning as trusted sources of information, while magazines offered in-depth analysis and storytelling.

Today, the media landscape has been completely transformed. Smartphones, fiber broadband, social media, YouTube, OTT platforms, podcasts, AI-powered tools, e-papers, and digital magazines have changed how people consume information.

Ironically, despite having more media platforms and content choices than ever before, traditional media is struggling to retain audiences.

The Evolution of Electronic Media

1. The Radio Era (1930s–1980s)

Before television became widespread, radio was the dominant electronic medium.

In India, radio connected millions through news bulletins, educational programming, music, dramas, and live sports commentary. Families relied on radio for information during elections, wars, natural disasters, and major national events.

For decades, radio was the fastest and most accessible source of news.

2. The Antenna and Doordarshan Era (1970s–1980s)

Television arrived as a revolutionary medium.

Viewers depended on rooftop antennas to receive signals from Doordarshan. Programming was limited but highly influential. Shows such as Ramayan, Mahabharat, Hum Log, Buniyaad, and Chitrahaar became national phenomena.

Television was not merely entertainment—it was a social experience that united families and communities.

3. The Cable Television Revolution (1990s)

Economic liberalization changed the Indian media industry forever.

Cable operators introduced private television channels into homes. Suddenly viewers had access to entertainment, sports, movies, music, and 24-hour news channels.

Networks such as Zee TV, Star TV, Sony, and numerous regional broadcasters transformed viewing habits.

For the first time, audiences had meaningful choice.

4. The DTH Era (2000s)

Direct-to-Home (DTH) technology improved signal quality and expanded access to hundreds of channels.

Consumers enjoyed better picture quality, wider channel selection, and greater viewing flexibility.

Television entered an era of intense competition.

5. The Fiber and Digital Streaming Era (2010s–Present)

The arrival of fiber broadband, smartphones, smart TVs, OTT platforms, social media, podcasts, and video-sharing platforms fundamentally altered media consumption.

Viewers no longer wait for scheduled programming.

News, entertainment, sports, documentaries, and live events are available instantly and on demand.

The audience now controls what to watch, when to watch, and where to watch.

From One Channel to Thousands

The media industry has evolved from scarcity to abundance.

We moved from:

• One television channel to thousands.
• One radio station to thousands of digital audio streams.
• A handful of newspapers to countless digital publications.
• Scheduled programming to personalized content feeds.

Yet paradoxically, more choice has not guaranteed more engagement.

Instead, audiences have become fragmented across multiple platforms.

Why Are Viewers Leaving Television News?

Television news once dominated public attention. Today, many viewers are turning away.

Several factors contribute to this trend:

Declining Content Quality

Investigative journalism and original reporting have often been replaced by repetitive debates and sensational discussions.

Loss of Credibility

Audiences increasingly question the neutrality and independence of many news organizations.

Ethical Concerns

Many viewers feel news coverage is becoming overly influenced by political, commercial, or ideological interests.

Technical Negligence

Frequent spelling mistakes, inaccurate graphics, poorly edited tickers, and rushed presentation standards create a perception of declining professionalism.

Endless Live Coverage

Many channels devote hours to repetitive live broadcasts with little new information, reducing the value of the viewing experience.

Rise of Independent Digital Journalism

YouTube channels, digital-first news organizations, podcasts, and independent creators often provide faster, more diverse, and more interactive coverage.

As a result, audiences increasingly seek information outside traditional television.

What Happened to Radio?

Radio remains relevant in automobiles, rural areas, and emergency communication.

However, younger audiences increasingly prefer:

• Podcasts
• Music streaming platforms
• Audio books
• On-demand content

The challenge facing radio is not merely retention but adoption. Many younger consumers never developed the habit of listening to traditional radio in the first place.

Newspapers: Declining but Still Trusted

Unlike television and radio, newspapers continue to enjoy a relatively high level of trust.

Their strengths include:

• Editorial discipline
• Fact-checking processes
• Structured reporting
• In-depth analysis
• Professional accountability

However, print circulation faces significant challenges as younger readers increasingly consume news digitally.

Many readers still trust newspaper brands but choose to access them through websites, mobile applications, and e-paper editions rather than physical copies.

The Slow Disappearance of Magazines

Perhaps no traditional medium has been affected more dramatically than magazines.

Weekly and monthly magazines once occupied a unique space between newspapers and books. They provided long-form reporting, interviews, analysis, and specialized content.

Today, demand for printed magazines has declined significantly due to:

• Instant digital access
• Free online content
• Social media platforms
• Specialized websites and blogs

Many readers now prefer e-magazines and digital subscriptions that offer convenience, portability, and real-time updates.

The future of magazines is increasingly digital rather than print-based.

The Rise of E-Papers and E-Magazines

Digital editions are becoming the new normal.

Readers appreciate:

• Instant availability
• Mobile accessibility
• Lower costs
• Search functionality
• Environmental sustainability

For younger generations, reading news on a smartphone or tablet often feels more natural than reading a printed publication.

The future of print media may depend less on paper and more on the strength of trusted journalism delivered through digital formats.

Can Traditional Media Make a Comeback?

Yes—but only through meaningful reinvention.

Restore Trust

Credibility must become the industry’s highest priority.

Invest in Journalism

Original reporting, investigative work, and field journalism should once again define news organizations.

Improve Editorial Standards

Accuracy in language, graphics, headlines, and presentation remains essential.

Embrace Digital Platforms

Traditional media must meet audiences where they already are—on mobile devices, social media, streaming platforms, and digital ecosystems.

Focus on Public Interest

Issues affecting ordinary citizens should receive greater attention than manufactured controversies.

Engage Younger Audiences

Explainers, data journalism, podcasts, short-form video, and interactive storytelling can help bridge the generational gap.

The Future of Media

Traditional media is not dying—it is evolving.

Television, radio, newspapers, and magazines may no longer dominate public attention as they once did, but their core strengths remain valuable.

The future belongs to organizations that combine the credibility of traditional journalism with the speed, accessibility, and innovation of digital technology.

Audiences have not abandoned information.

They have abandoned formats that no longer meet their expectations.

The real crisis facing media today is not a shortage of content.

It is a shortage of trust.

And trust can only be rebuilt through accuracy, ethics, accountability, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to serving the public interest.

The journey from radio to television, from antenna to cable, from DTH to digital streaming, and from newspapers to e-papers tells the story of media’s past.

The next chapter will belong to those who understand that technology may change, but the public’s need for trustworthy journalism never will.

 

New Delhi, June 19: The government has removed the requirement of domicile certificates for students applying for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) scholarships.

The move is aimed at simplifying the application process and making it easier for eligible students to access financial assistance without facing unnecessary documentation hurdles.

Officials said the decision will help reduce delays in processing scholarship applications and ensure faster delivery of benefits to students.

The step is expected to improve accessibility and encourage greater participation from eligible students belonging to SC and OBC communities.

The reform is part of ongoing efforts to make welfare schemes more efficient, student-friendly, and easier to access through simplified procedures.

June 19: Researchers from the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University have developed a theoretical model that allows atoms to be “pre-programmed” by light alone to reshape laser beams that carry both a twist and a polarization.

The study by master’s student Dharma Prasetya Permana, alongside Mažena Mackoit-Sinkevičienė, Julius Ruseckas, and Hamid Reza Hamedi from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, opens a magnet-free route to controlling structured light for quantum technologies. The research was recently published in Physical Review A.

Twisted Light

The team’s research focuses on optical vortices—special light beams whose structure twists as they propagate.

“Unlike whirlpools in water, where the matter itself spins, optical vortices are twists in the wave structure of light. As the beam travels, its wavefronts form a helical, spiral-like structure,” explains Permana.

At the center of such a beam, the light intensity drops to zero, leaving a small dark core. The size of this region depends on a quantity called the topological charge, which counts how many full twists the wavefront makes around the beam’s axis.

“A topological charge of zero means there is no twist. When the charge increases to one, a small dark core appears at the center. As the charge grows, the structure becomes more pronounced. You can think of it like the thread of a screw—the higher the charge, the tighter the twist,” Permana explains.

 

In theory, this number has no upper limit; it can take any integer value, positive or negative. That makes optical vortices particularly attractive for encoding information in many distinct states. In practice, it is possible to create up to 10,000 distinct states.

“Researchers have already begun using these light vortices to build advanced quantum communication channels,” adds Hamedi. “Instead of a standard quantum bit, or qubit, which holds only two states, light vortices allow information to be encoded in higher-dimensional quantum states, called qudits, dramatically increasing how much data a single photon can carry.”

Spin and Swirl in Light

Light travels as a wave, and there are two distinct ways it can be manipulated: polarization and vortices. Normally, light from a bulb or the Sun is chaotic, with waves vibrating in many directions at once.

“Polarization is how the wave vibrates. Imagine tying a rope to a wall and shaking it. Shake your hand up and down, and the wave vibrates vertically; shake it side to side, and it vibrates horizontally. This direction of vibration is what physicists call the wave’s polarization. Polarized sunglasses act like a fence with vertical slats: they let through vertically vibrating light and block the horizontal glare bouncing off roads or water.

“A vortex, on the other hand, describes the overall shape of the beam. Instead of traveling as a flat wall of waves, the light is twisted into a spiral staircase as it moves forward,” says Mackoit-Sinkevičienė.

When scientists combine these two concepts, they get a vector vortex—a beam with both a structured shape and structured polarization.

“Imagine a spiral staircase where the direction of the steps changes as you climb. At the bottom, the steps face north—that is, vertical polarization. As you walk up the spiral, the steps gradually turn to face east—horizontal polarization. In a vector vortex, the light beam is twisting like a whirlpool, and the direction in which the light waves vibrate changes depending on where you are inside that whirlpool,” explains Mackoit-Sinkevičienė.

“Programmable” Atoms

To manipulate vector vortices and harness them for advanced information processing, the researchers studied how these beams interact with an atomic gas. They chose a medium of three-energy-level atoms, a standard model in quantum optics.

“We developed a theoretical model showing how these atoms can be ‘pre-programmed’ to modify the shape of optical vector vortices. When such light passes through the prepared atomic medium, the atoms respond in a highly structured way. They effectively inherit the spatial pattern of the light, forming regions where they absorb strongly and regions where they become almost transparent to the light,” says Hamedi.

This creates a feedback mechanism between light and matter: the light shapes the atomic response, and the atomic response reshapes the light.

As the beam propagates, it transforms. Instead of a simple ring-shaped intensity profile with a dark center, it evolves into a petal-like pattern, where light concentrates in several bright lobes arranged around the center. At the same time, the beam’s polarization structure evolves, demonstrating that the medium actively controls both its spatial shape and its spin properties.

“This demonstrates that by preparing the atomic medium in advance, we can control not only how complex light structures evolve in space, but also how their polarization changes as they pass through matter,” says Ruseckas.

Applications in Quantum Technologies

The study positions pre-programmed atoms as a powerful tool for manipulating light, with implications for quantum computing and high-density data transfer.

“Until now, controlling structured light in this way required strong external magnetic fields. Generating those fields takes complex, bulky, and often expensive equipment, which limits how easily these systems can be integrated into compact technologies,” says Permana.

“Our method is entirely optical. By using light itself to ‘program’ the atoms, we eliminate the need for magnetic fields. This offers a much more flexible, scalable, and elegant way to control light–matter interactions. Ultimately, it paves the way for faster quantum processors, highly secure quantum communication networks, and incredibly precise optical sensors,” says Hamedi.