lightmatter

Lightmatter is a term used in physics and engineering to describe the interaction between light and matter. It covers how photons interact with atoms and molecules, leading to phenomena such as absorption, emission, scattering, refraction, and interference. The study of light-matter interactions underpins essential technologies in optics, spectroscopy, photovoltaics, and quantum information science.

In research, light-matter interaction is explored to control light at small scales, create new materials, and build devices that convert or transmit information. The field spans disciplines including quantum optics, solid-state physics, and materials science, and it employs tools such as lasers, spectrometers, and nanofabrication techniques.

Lightmatter is also the name of a technology company that develops photonic computing hardware. The company focuses on using light to perform or accelerate computational tasks, with ambitions to improve energy efficiency and bandwidth for artificial intelligence workloads. Its work sits within the broader area of silicon photonics and optical computing.

As a term, lightmatter can refer to either the physical phenomenon or the corporate name, depending on context. When precision is required, it is common to clarify whether one means the scientific concept or the company.