TWIST4NET

Polarization is the fundamental property of light that has been attracting great attention in various practical applications. When light interacts with the matter its state of polarization is changed. The state of polarization of “simple” linearly, elliptically or circularly polarized light has long been used to characterize material surfaces, thin films and transparent media. However, the structure of light can be more “complex”, i.e. the light beams can be radially or azimuthally polarized and carry orbital angular momentum (OAM). The light with orbital momentum, or twisted light, plays an emerging role in both classical and quantum science, and offers fascinating opportunities for exploring new fundamental ideas, as well as for being used as a tool for practical applications. The total angular momentum of light contains a spin contribution, dictated by the polarization of the electromagnetic fields, and an orbital contribution, related to their spatial structure We are going to investigate (i) how the spin-orbit interaction leads to the mutual influence of the polarization and the trajectories of twisted photons (or vector beams) propagating in turbid tissue-like scattering media, and (ii) how sensitive are the vector light beams to subtle alterations in biological tissue morphology. Thus, an overall aim of the project is to investigate the potential applicability of vector light beams for non-invasive tissue diagnosis (optical biopsy) and provide the proof of concept by developing the operating prototype of the instrument for the characterization of complex scattering anisotropic and/or chiral media with vector light beams. This scientific project is very ambitious and innovative and requires the contribution of both academic experts in polarization theory (France, Spain, Ukraine), computer modeling (France, Finland), polarimetric instrumentation (France, Spain, Finland, Ukraine), phantoms tissue fabrication (Finland, Israel) and industrial partners having expertise in optical instrumentation and biomedical field (Israel). The participation of expected end users (medical/healthcare providers) will significantly reinforce the envisaged Consortium. The creation of European network will help us to build such a partnership and write the successful proposal to answer H2020 FET Open RIA call. To achieve this goal we plan to organize in France the European workshop on Polarized Light and its Applications. The scientific program of this workshop will cover all above mentioned domains. The core partners of TWILIGHT network (France, Finland, Spain, Ukraine, and Israel) will create and run the website of the workshop. They will also contribute to both organization of the workshop and scientific presentations exposing their achievements to all other participants during the workshop. The "Round-table" sessions will be organized in order to discuss and brainstorm the scientific problems related to the subject of European proposal. The foreseen scientific communications will facilitate the exchange of ideas, concepts and new contacts, thus, reinforcing future Consortium and strongly increasing the chance of joint European project to be selected for the EU funding.