USC engineers just made light smarter with “optical thermodynamics”

USC engineers have developed an optical system that routes light autonomously using thermodynamic principles. Rather than relying on switches, light organizes itself much like particles in a gas reaching equilibrium. The discovery could simplify and speed up optical communications and computing. It reimagines chaotic optical behavior as a tool for design rather than a limitation.

source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251010091551.htm