research
<(From Left)Dr. Joonkyo Jung. Professor Jonghwa Shin>
A new type of hologram technology has been developed that uses the motion of light as a “key,” revealing information only under specific conditions. This is gaining attention as a novel approach that can simultaneously overcome the limitations of existing optical communication and security technologies.
KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 4th of May that a research team led by Professor Jonghwa Shin from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has developed a next-generation vectorial hologram metasurface that uses the “total angular momentum (TAM)*” of light as a key for information selection, enabling the realization of different vectorial images depending on the state of the incident light.
*Total Angular Momentum (TAM): a physical quantity that represents both the vibration direction (polarization) and rotational (twisting) properties of light, enabling the creation of precise vectorial images whose intensity and polarization distribution vary depending on the state of light
Previously, research utilizing either the vibration direction of light, known as “polarization,” or the property of light twisting in a helical form, known as “orbital angular momentum (OAM),” had been actively pursued. However, independently controlling these two properties within a single device had long been considered an unsolved challenge in the field of optics.
To address this, the research team precisely designed nanoscale structures much smaller than the thickness of a human hair and implemented a “bi-layer metasurface” by stacking them in two layers. A metasurface is an optical device based on ultra-fine artificial structures designed to freely control the direction and properties of light.
This device uses the “total angular momentum (TAM),” which combines the polarization and degree of twist of light, like a complex encryption key. In other words, the device responds and reconstructs hidden information only when light with a specific vibration pattern and a specific number of twists is incident. With this technology, even if light appears identical externally, the information cannot be read without the designated “light key,” ensuring high security.
In addition, the twisting state of light (OAM) can theoretically take on a very wide range of values, significantly increasing the amount of information that can be carried by a single light beam. This also enables expansion into ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies capable of transmitting far more data simultaneously than before.
In particular, this study is meaningful in that it goes beyond simple intensity-only image implementation and achieves a “vectorial hologram” that precisely controls the vibration direction (polarization) of light at each point in the image. A vectorial hologram is a high-dimensional holographic technology that represents not only the intensity of light but also its vibration direction information.
This achievement is the first demonstration that two key properties of light—polarization and twist—which had been difficult to separate physically, can be independently controlled within a single device. This is expected to enable applications not only in next-generation display technologies such as immersive holograms, smart glasses, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) devices, but also in various fields including anti-counterfeiting security labels and ultra-high-speed optical communication.
Professor Jonghwa Shin stated, “This study demonstrates that polarization and twist, which are fundamental properties of light, can be combined into a single independent information key and freely utilized,” adding, “It will evolve into a key platform for security systems that are difficult to replicate and for ultra-high-speed, ultra-high-capacity optical communication technologies.”
This study, with Dr. Joonkyo Jung as the first author, was published online on March 12 in the international journal Advanced Materials.
※ Paper title: “Arbitrary Total Angular Momentum Vectorial Holography Using Bi-Layer Metasurfaces,” DOI: 10.1002/adma.202519106
This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT through the “Nano Materials Technology Development Program” and the “Group Research Support Program,” as well as by the Ministry of Trade.
-
research KAIST Study Finds Politically Salient Immigration Issues Can Lead to Higher Industrial Pollution
When immigration or refugee issues become heated political topics, nearby factories may end up releasing more toxic substances. Although the two phenomena may appear unrelated, a KAIST-led international research team has found that they are in fact connected through the government’s limited administrative and fiscal resources. KAIST (President Choongsik Bae) announced on the 10th of July that a joint research team led by Professor Narae Lee from The School of Business and Technology
2026-07-10 -
research KAIST Automates the Search for “Dream Semiconductor” 2D Semiconductors
The era of researchers manually searching for two-dimensional semiconductors, which are drawing attention as next-generation AI semiconductors, is coming to an end. KAIST researchers have automated semiconductor screening and device fabrication, analyzed thousands of devices, and revealed the relationship between thickness and performance that had long been difficult to identify. This achievement is expected to shift next-generation semiconductor research toward a data-driven approach and acce
2026-07-09 -
research KAIST Develops Core Display Technology That Prevents Image Distortion Even When Stretched
Beyond bendable and foldable displays, the era of stretchable displays, whose screens can expand freely like rubber, is now emerging. KAIST researchers have developed a core technology that allows text, images, and other on-screen information to retain their original shape even when the screen is stretched by up to 15%. The achievement is expected to help solve the problem of image distortion and accelerate the commercialization of next-generation high-quality stretchable displays. KAIST (P
2026-07-08 -
research KAIST Enables DNA Synthesis Using Only Temperature Instead of Chemical Reagents
"Complex chemical processes are essential for making DNA." This long-held assumption in the field of biotechnology has been overturned by a Korean research team. A KAIST research team has developed the world's first foundational technology that enables the synthesis of desired DNA using only temperature. Using this technology, the team also demonstrated a "DNA temperature black box" that records temperature changes during shipping without electricity. KAIST announced on the 7th of July th
2026-07-07 -
research KAIST Identifies the “Hidden Energy Cost” of AI Agents for the First Time
As the era of AI agents—systems that can reason and act autonomously—begins, the power consumption of data centers is emerging as a critical challenge. A KAIST research team has, for the first time, analyzed the computational cost and energy consumption of AI agents, finding that they can consume up to 136.5 times energy per query than conventional generative AI. The study shows that competitiveness in the AI era is expanding beyond model performance to include the efficiency of d
2026-07-07