First Montgomery effect demonstration; enables creation of repeatable, 3D patterns of light in free space without using lenses or mirrors

https://phys.org/news/2026-02-focusing-defocusing-lens-montgomery-effect.html

"high contrast, no noise/ unwanted background light... spatial light modulator sculpts laser beams to vanish, then sharply refocus at specific pre-determined distances: periodic, non-periodic and exotic shapes... can tightly focus light at multiple depths simultaneously... quantum computing: neutral-atom quantum computers trapping atoms at multiple depths (3D) with minimal light leakage between them,  biological multiplane microscopy, controlled beam integrates into optical chips' metasurfaces"

Related: New hydrogel platform mimics human tissue, can be controlled by light
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1120124