Scientists from Lehigh University, Japan and Canada demonstrate the 'world's first fully functioning single crystal waveguide in glass' for all-optical data transmission. The breakthrough enables compact and multifunctional photonic integrated circuits with high density of components and opportunities for new technologies.
Researchers from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology discover how laser pulse filamentation affects preliminary transition of a beam passing through quartz glass. The study has implications for nonlinear optics and may lead to new applications.
Researchers at USC have developed a portable device to measure a tumor's squishiness, which may help personalize cancer care. The device uses fiber optics and can accurately quantify the Young's modulus of various materials without damaging them.
A calibration mission on a Terrier-Black Brant suborbital sounding rocket will help calibrate the EVE instrument on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The mission aims to measure the total energy output of the sun in extreme ultraviolet light waves and track changes over time.
Researchers have developed a miniature fiber-optic microscope that can penetrate deeply into the brain of a living mouse. This breakthrough technology allows scientists to study brain function in unprecedented detail and has potential human applications in understanding brain disease and developing new treatments.
A Dartmouth team developed a novel approach for near infrared optical measurements of resected breast tissue using molecular dyes used for surgical specimen margin orientation. This method allows for intraoperative assessment during breast conserving surgery and avoids follow-up resections.
Researchers have created a new 'whispering gallery' effect for electrons in graphene, allowing precise control over the reflecting region. This confinement could lead to the development of electronic lenses and other quantum-based electron-optics devices, enabling the study of subtle charge carrier behavior at a microscopic level.
A Rochester team is designing an optical system to image responses of individual cells in the retina, aiming to accelerate vision restoration technologies. The team will collaborate with investigators exploring gene therapy, stem cell replacement, and genetic re-engineering to restore vision.
Physicists at University of Warsaw successfully image indistinguishable photons forming pairs through Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. The achievement enables direct observation of spatial optical phenomena involving single photons, a crucial result for quantum optics.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a device called a frequency comb to detect terahertz waves, allowing for precise measurement and identification of molecules in space. The device can measure thousands of frequencies simultaneously, enabling scientists to analyze the chemical fingerprints associated with various molecules.
The LEECH exoplanets survey has obtained new images of HR 8799, a 30-million-year-old star with four known giant planets. The team found that the system likely consists of multiple double resonances, indicating gravitational interactions between the planets.
Scientists develop a new technique to reduce the halo effect in multifocal lenses, allowing patients with presbyopia to use them safely at night. The technique smoothes the surface structure of contact or intra-ocular lenses, reducing optical aberrations and improving depth of focus.
Recent advances in voltage-sensitive dye imaging have paved the way for real-time functional imaging of live tissue electrical activity. Research by Larry Cohen and his team has enabled this frontier field, with recent articles demonstrating its legacy.
Researchers developed a nanoscale speed bump called a plasmonic phase modulator to regulate plasmon waves, enabling faster data processing. The device uses a tiny gap in metal wires to slow down plasmons, allowing for selective cancellation and optical switching.
Researchers at ICFO have successfully generated isolated attosecond pulses at the carbon K-edge, enabling real-time imaging of electronic motion in organic compounds and ultrafast devices. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing new materials and developing petahertz electronics.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered novel nanoscale 'metamaterial' that could serve as future ultra-high-speed computing units. These nonlinear metamaterials can be used to develop active optical components essential to the manufacture of ultra-high-speed optics-based computer chips.
Researchers create an ultra-thin, completely flat optical component made of glass substrate and silicon antennas that compensates for wavelength differences. This allows for consistent effects like deflecting beams of different colors by the same angle or focusing those colors on a single spot.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $298,770 grant to purchase a micro-optics assembly and characterization system. The equipment will enable researchers to conduct more accurate nanoscale-related research and manufacturing, including integrating electronic devices with nanotechnology and photonics.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a method to create extremely water-repellent metals using lasers, which can lead to efficient solar absorbers and self-cleaning surfaces. The technique creates multifunctional surfaces with both super-hydrophobic and highly-absorbent optical properties.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a novel method to measure and control the number of atoms on an ultra-thin glass fiber, with an accuracy of just eight atoms. The technique allows researchers to capture up to 2,500 cesium atoms while minimizing loss, which is crucial for future quantum computer networks.
A team of researchers at the University of California, San Diego, has developed a silicon chip that can emit and control quantum light at room temperature. The device uses Spontaneous Optical Nonlinear Mixing to generate entangled photon pairs, which can be tuned over a wide range of Schmidt numbers for specific quantum optic properties.
Scientists have developed a new light-based tool to monitor and improve swimming technique and aid in muscle recovery. The technology uses near-infrared spectroscopy to measure muscle oxygenation underwater, providing valuable feedback for swimmers and helping track rehabilitation progress.
The FOXSI mission will observe high-energy X-rays from the Sun, helping scientists understand solar flares and the sun's atmosphere. By detecting these faint events, researchers aim to confirm the existence of nanoflares, which are thought to occur constantly but are difficult to detect.
Researchers from Leibniz University Hannover and PTB have successfully demonstrated the on-demand emission of electron pairs from a semiconductor quantum dot. The resulting electron pairs were found to be spatially separated with over 90% efficiency, a crucial step towards future applications such as quantum computing and cryptography.
Researchers have developed a method to extract audio information from high-speed video recordings by detecting vibrations caused by sound waves. The technique, reported in the SPIE journal Optical Engineering, uses an image-matching process based on vibration from sound waves and can recover spoken words from videos.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have created a cloaking device that hides objects across a continuous range of angles, improving on previous devices. The device uses four standard lenses and is scalable to large sizes, working for the entire visible spectrum.
Scientists develop a thermoresponsive coating that changes the color of white LEDs when dimmed, creating a warmer glow. This innovative technology uses liquid crystal and polymeric materials to create a temperature-dependent shift in light emission.
Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.
Researchers have developed bioinspired materials with potential applications in detecting heavy metals and fostering faster surgery recovery time. The materials interact with light to enable applications in therapy, biosensing, and bioimaging.
Researchers develop new approach to generate mixed-up photon pairs on a chip, exploiting micro-ring resonator technology. The device can directly generate orthogonal polarized photons at very low power, suitable for quantum protocols.
A new paint-on, see-through 'smart' bandage glows to indicate tissue oxygenation concentration, enabling direct measurement for improved wound care. The bandage's phosphorescence emits light based on oxygen levels, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of wounds and burns.
A new spectrometer using reflection zone plate optics resolves the spectral range of lighter elements, such as lithium and oxygen, which cannot be detected by traditional energy dispersive spectrometers. This technology has significant implications for research on energy-related materials and life sciences.
Researchers develop new single-photon detection strategies with high accuracy enhancements, enabling precise timing resolution and fast reset times. New technologies improve space missions and quantum optics, advancing the field of single-photon devices.
Wavefront analysis is being intensively studied as a new approach to measuring and correcting visual abnormalities. The technique, developed by astronomers, shows promise for assessing and treating higher-order visual aberrations in eyes.
Researchers equipped a robot with a novel tactile sensor, allowing it to grasp and manipulate objects in unprecedented ways. The sensor uses optics and computer-vision algorithms to infer the three-dimensional structure of surfaces, giving the robot feedback in real-time.
Researchers are studying nature's secrets to develop efficient light-based technologies. From seashells to spider wings, scientists are discovering inspiration in the natural world to create innovative solutions for energy, healthcare, and communications.
Researchers developed an adaptive optics microscope that can focus laser light through even the murkiest surroundings without a guide star. This innovation resolves points less than one thousandth of a millimeter across, enabling sharper images in biology and medicine.
Researchers developed a basic model circuit combining silver nanowire and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) that efficiently guides electricity and light along the same wire. The material enables strong light emission and efficient energy transfer, promising to improve mobile technology performance and efficiency.
A team led by Robert Boyd at the University of Rochester replicated a 2012 experiment that appeared to violate a fundamental law of quantum mechanics. By analyzing the data more subtly, they found that biased sampling was the cause of the anomaly, reaffirming the standard interpretation of quantum laws.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a non-metallic metamaterial that enables the compression and containment of light in smaller cables. This breakthrough could lead to radical increases in computing speeds and reduced energy use by electronic devices.
Researchers have developed a new hand-held device that uses photoacoustic microscopy to accurately measure the depth of melanoma tumors in living tissue. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning for melanoma patients by providing valuable information on tumor volume.
Dr. Kattawar's work on polarization and radiative transfer theory has advanced knowledge of the ocean's nature and consequences of light. He has received numerous teaching awards, mentored over 40 students, and served on academic advisory committees.
Researchers at University of Chicago developed a new technique to map microscopic environments using molecular vibrations, combining microscopy with two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. This technique offers data on vibrational dynamics that traditional microscopy lacks, while adding spatial information.
The new journal Neurophotonics adds to the rapidly growing understanding of the brain through advanced optical methods and applications. Key findings include photoacoustic tomography techniques that display brain activity with high accuracy, and novel technologies for brain energy metabolism.
The Optical Society's new open-access journal Optica publishes highest-impact research in optics and photonics. Key findings include the development of self-cooling solar cells, observation of rotational Doppler shift in white light, and precision time measurement on a silicon chip.
Rice University scientists discovered that stretching carbyne by just 3% opens a band gap, enabling semiconducting properties. This finding could revolutionize mechanically activated nanoscale electronics and optics.
Researchers discovered mantis shrimp have optics generating ultraviolet color vision using mycosporine-like amino acids as built-in biological sunscreen filters. The complex eyes detect polarized colors and navigate through the reef without processing visual information in the brain.
The HZB team has developed novel 3D X-ray optics, enabling sharper imaging with improved resolution. The new optics capture more light and can be stacked on top of each other to achieve even better results.
Researchers developed a small, lightweight device that combines near-infrared fluorescent imaging to detect marked cancer cells with visible light reflectance imaging to see tissue contours. This technology enhances surgeons' ability to precisely remove tumors and minimize healthy tissue damage.
A new special section in Optical Engineering highlights optics research for human vision improvement. The studies showcase new techniques for earlier disease diagnosis and more accurate guidance for treatment.
The Journal of Medical Imaging has launched with freely accessible articles on new research in cancer diagnosis, image quality assessment, and other topics. The journal covers fundamental and translational research in medical imaging, spanning physics, tomographic reconstruction algorithms, computer-aided diagnosis, and more.
Researchers have developed two new wearable devices that use scattered light to monitor glucose concentration and dehydration levels. The devices also track pulse with reduced sensitivity to errors, making them suitable for health and fitness tracking. They are the first non-invasive devices to directly measure glucose concentration.
Researchers developed an external laser device to detect alcohol vapors inside moving cars, reducing accidents caused by drivers under the influence. The device can identify cars with intoxicated drivers or passengers and alert authorities, potentially decreasing traffic checks.
Researchers have developed a method using DNA origami to turn one-dimensional nano materials into two dimensions, enabling the creation of any number of shapes. The breakthrough offers potential to enhance fiber optics and electronic devices by reducing size and increasing speed.
The 2014 Kavli Prize winners made significant contributions to our understanding of cosmic inflation, nano-optics, and brain networks. Their discoveries have revolutionized fields like astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
Researchers successfully trapped and controlled light using graphene-based optical antennas, demonstrating the fundamental principles of conventional optics. The discovery paves the way for the development of compact and faster photonic devices and circuits, which could revolutionize signal processing and computing.
A team using the Gemini Planet Imager's next-generation adaptive optics system tracked the orbit of Beta Pictoris b, a planet with an estimated mass at least four times that of Jupiter. The team refined the estimate by analyzing images and debris discs around the star.
Hyperbolic metamaterials, created by Purdue University researchers, offer promising advances in optics and electronics. The ultra-thin crystalline films, composed of metal and dielectric materials, could lead to powerful microscopes, quantum computers, and high-performance solar cells.
The University of Rochester's Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences will lead the development of a national roadmap for photonics manufacturing. The initiative aims to address critical gaps and strengthen the US's share in global photonics manufacturing, which has dropped to less than 10%.
The study confirms the existence of an Earth-sized planet orbiting Kepler-186, a temperate region where water could exist in liquid form. The team employed speckle imaging and adaptive optics to rule out background stars and stellar companions, allowing for the detection of Kepler-186f.