Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Optica


Shining light on brain tumors

Researchers have developed a method that uses laser pulses to identify brain tumors without labeling or staining, providing histological detail comparable to conventional techniques. The technique allows for fast and accurate diagnosis in the operating room, potentially enabling real-time tumor detection before surgery.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateApr 18, 2016

New laser achieves wavelength long sought by laser developers

Researchers at the University of Bath created a new laser capable of pulsed and continuous mid-infrared emission between 3.1-3.2 microns, overcoming a major challenge in laser development. The achievement uses silica hollow-core fibers to confine light and gas, enabling efficient interaction and mid-IR emission.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateFeb 24, 2016

'Quasiparticles' reveal incredibly minute distortions in light waves

Scientists have developed a method to detect the shape of light waves with unprecedented precision by studying the behavior of 'quasiparticles' - ripples in the electric field that emerge when light meets solid surfaces. This breakthrough has significant implications for applications in metrology, chemical sensing, and adaptive optics.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateDec 8, 2015

'Tuning in' to a fast and optimized internet

Researchers have designed a tunable filter that can be integrated onto a photonic chip, enabling flexible optical networks. The device has a record-breaking tuning span of 670 GHz, making it suitable for handling large data volumes and adapting to dynamic changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateNov 16, 2015

Nanoscale diamond 'racetrack' becomes breakthrough Raman laser

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new class of Raman laser using nanoscale diamond resonator, enabling wider wavelength range and potential for improved telecommunications. The device works by converting one frequency of laser light to another, opening up possibilities for broadband data communications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 21, 2015

Shooting lightning out of the sky

Researchers from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have demonstrated new techniques that bring lasers as lighting rods closer to reality. They created a channel of plasma by firing a powerful laser, extending the lifetime of the plasma channel by more than a factor of 10.

SourceOptica·DateSep 24, 2015

Pushing the limits of lensless imaging

Scientists from Friedrich Schiller University Jena have created a custom-built ultrafast laser that can produce extremely high-resolution images of materials in real time. By using extreme ultraviolet light streaming at a 100,000 times per second, the researchers achieved an image resolution of 26 nanometers, surpassing previous limits.

SourceOptica·DateSep 21, 2015

New microscope technique could speed identification of deadly bacteria

Researchers have developed a new microscope technique using holographic images and machine-learning software to identify bacterial species at the single bacterium level. The approach has shown high accuracy in distinguishing between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, promising to reduce treatment time and improve patient outcomes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJun 8, 2015

The trillion-frame-per-second camera

Scientists have developed a new high-speed camera, STAMP, that can record events at over 1-trillion-frames-per-second, capturing complex physical and biological processes. The camera operates by splitting a single light pulse into multiple colors, allowing for the creation of moving pictures of ultrafast phenomena.

SourceOptica·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 29, 2015

A phone with the ultimate macro feature

Researchers developed a smartphone attachment that can image and size single DNA molecules 50,000 times thinner than a human hair. The device is intended for use in remote laboratory settings to diagnose various types of cancers and nervous system disorders.

SourceOptica·DateApr 29, 2015

New light for old master paintings

A new technique based on Optical Coherence Tomography allows conservators to analyze the hidden layers in priceless paintings without removing physical samples. This enables detailed information on the chemical composition of paint and coatings applied over time.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 13, 2015

Potential new tool for cervical cancer detection and diagnosis

A team of researchers from Central South University in China have demonstrated that photoacoustic imaging can distinguish cancerous from normal tissue and evaluate the stage of cervical cancer with high accuracy. This technique is non-invasive, faster, cheaper, and more effective than conventional methods like colposcopy.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateDec 15, 2014

Ever tried a 'laser delicious' apple?

A team of researchers from Lebanon and France has developed a laser biospeckle technique capable of detecting the climacteric peak in fruits like apples, bananas, and pears. This non-invasive method uses coherent light to analyze speckle patterns, which change with time depending on the medium's scattering properties.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateDec 3, 2014

Giving LEDs a cozy, warm glow

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.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 19, 2014

Powerful imaging for point-of-care diagnostics

Researchers developed a compact probe that produces detailed images of blood vessels using ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging modalities. The system enables real-time imaging and can reveal important medical information, such as hemoglobin oxygen saturation, for monitoring tumor progression.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 5, 2014

Supersonic laser-propelled rockets

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.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateOct 29, 2014

Rediscovering Venus to find faraway earths

Astronomers develop a new laser-based technology called the green astro-comb to detect tiny Doppler shifts, helping identify habitable zone planets. The device will enable precise measurements of exoplanet gravity, allowing for better detection of rocky worlds like Earth.

SourceOptica·DateOct 14, 2014