A research team from Yale University has successfully achieved two-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy in living cells, overcoming previous challenges in labeling target proteins. The breakthrough enables resolutions of 78 nanometers and 82 nanometers for sequential scans of two proteins in living cells.
Researchers developed a near-infrared imaging system using optical coherence tomography (OCT) that can reliably distinguish between low-risk and high-risk pancreatic cysts. The system achieved a success rate close to microscope-assisted examinations, showing its potential as a future diagnostic tool for pancreatic cancer.
Researchers explore ways to boost fiber optic communication capacity to meet growing internet traffic demands, including space-division multiplexing and mode-division multiplexing. Studies aim to increase fiber capacity by up to seven-fold, enabling exponential growth in optical communication systems.
Researchers have developed a new technique to manipulate surface plasmons in real time, enabling the creation of ultra-small-scale optoelectronic devices and systems. This innovation allows for on-the-fly control and flexibility in nano-system design and manufacture.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new high-speed 3D imaging system based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology, enabling real-time visualization of microscopic features in the esophagus and colon. The system promises to improve cancer screening by detecting pre-cancerous changes and guiding endoscopic therapies.
Researchers successfully imaged rod photoreceptors in the living human eye for the first time, revealing cellular structure with unprecedented detail. This breakthrough enables earlier diagnosis and treatment of degenerative eye disorders, potentially leading to more effective sight-saving interventions.
Engineers at Vanderbilt University created a 'spongy' silicon biosensor that detects small molecules with high sensitivity. The new sensor's porous structure increases its surface area, allowing it to capture more molecules than traditional sensors.
Green UV sterilization uses LEDs to safely disinfect food and water without mercury. MEGa-rays enable precise detection of nuclear threats by penetrating through lead and thick containers. Researchers also develop a full 3D invisibility cloak in visible light.
The new journal, Optical Materials Express, launched by OSA, explores the intersection of optics and materials science, offering rapid online publication and open-access features. The inaugural issue includes research on metamaterials, microlasers, and chiral optical materials.
Beetle researchers have discovered that the unique structural arrangements of exo-skeletal chitin layers in their elytra create a metallic appearance by reflecting light through different refractive indices. This phenomenon enables the beetles to produce striking gold and silver colors, similar to those found in precious metals.
Researchers have developed a new laser system that can ignite engine air-fuel mixtures more efficiently than traditional spark plugs. The laser system is made from ceramics and promises less pollution and greater fuel economy, but further testing is needed to make it commercially viable.
A team of physicists creates a miniature 'carpet cloak' using metamaterials, which can conceal objects by bending light around them. The device is smaller than previous cloaking techniques and has potential for futuristic applications in optoelectronics industry.
Researchers at NYU have created a new method for generating extended and knotted optical traps in three dimensions using computer-generated holograms. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in fusion energy and medical diagnostics, enabling the manipulation of small objects in complex 3D environments.
Researchers at TE SubCom have demonstrated a way to boost undersea cable capacity without increasing optical bandwidth. The breakthrough allows for high spectral efficiency channels to be transmitted over longer distances, up to 18,000 kilometers, surpassing previous records.
The development team at Infinera Corp. has achieved a record one terabit per second speed on a single integrated indium phosphide chip, enabling more powerful, flexible, and reliable optical networks. The new technology uses equipment that is significantly smaller, less expensive, and uses much less energy than traditional transponder-...
Researchers have created an antireflective coating based on moth eyes that improves the performance of photovoltaic modules in laboratory and field experiments. The film reduces reflections by up to 30% and increases solar cell efficiency by 5-6%.
Researchers develop a microdroplet 3D laser system using cholesteric liquid crystals, producing the world's first practical three-dimensional laser. The design is small, tunable, cheap, and can be made by millions in seconds.
Recent progress in chalcogenide glass photonics has been driven by scientific and technological challenges. The issue highlights the unique optical properties of chalcogenides, which have found important applications in electronics, imaging, and sensing applications.
A team of scientists at Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs has found that energy efficiency gains in communications equipment are not keeping pace with traffic growth, leading to increased power consumption. The study predicts a seven-fold increase in power per user over the next decade.
Research highlights include colorful connections in the brain, disease-detecting lights for osteoporosis monitoring, and direct laser cooling of molecules. New techniques like Raman spectroscopy and two-photon microscopy are also being showcased.
Researchers developed a novel 'brush optrode' that threads fibers through hair to improve functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) signal levels 3-5 fold. The device increases scalp contact, enhances brain imaging, and is more comfortable for patients compared to conventional fiber ends.
Physicists at Georgia Tech have developed a critical component of a quantum repeater, allowing for secure encryption key transmission over longer distances. The new technology enables the relay of entangled particles over 1,000 kilometers, significantly improving the security of quantum cryptography.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have achieved the largest observed parity violation in atoms, exceeding previous tests by a factor of 100. Additionally, they measured a non-changing fine structure constant within one part in 1015 per year, setting a goal for further precision.
Scientists at UC Irvine have designed a new device using spatial frequency domain imaging to image cancerous lesions and monitor the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin cancer. The device, which uses an array of LEDs, can provide detailed images of the biochemistry of tissue, enabling targeted treatment.
Intel Corporation showcased its 50Gbps Silicon Photonics Link prototype, the world's first silicon-based optical data connection, at IPR. The link achieved speeds of up to 50 gigabits of data per second, surpassing electrical solutions.
Research features standardized approaches to measure and compare tumor size in lung cancer. The use of precise quantitation tools may allow for more rapid evaluation of the success or failure of drug candidates in clinical trials.
The Optical Society (OSA) has launched a new peer-reviewed journal called Optical Materials Express, which will focus on advances in novel optical materials. The journal aims to cover a wide range of topics in optical materials, including biomaterials, detector materials and metamaterials.
Researchers will present advances in laser cooling, 3D laser inscribing, and ultra-short light pulses at the CLEO/QELS conference. The Linac Coherent Light Source, producing short X-ray pulses millions of times brighter than others, has enabled scientists to probe matter at atomic scale.
Research in unconventional polarization states of light has the potential to affect a broad range of disciplines. Beams with certain geometrical symmetries can create small focal regions of axially polarized light, essential for interacting with nanostructures and coupling to fields tightly confined to metal surfaces.
Researchers at Boston University develop a new metamaterial device that can detect and control terahertz radiation, paving the way for safer medical and security scanners. The device uses an array of split-ring-resonators to manipulate electromagnetic properties of THz energy.
The inaugural issue of OSA's Energy Express highlights research on solar concentrators, which aim to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. New devices and technologies are being developed to concentrate sunlight, making solar power more economical and efficient.
The conference will showcase cutting-edge research in optical communication, including an express lane for large data transfers and innovations in wireless connectivity. Scientists will also explore new technologies for more efficient data routing and faster internet speeds.
Emerging optical technologies will enable warehouse-scale computing data centers, allowing users to access their data from anywhere and at any time. Google's Cedric Lam highlights the importance of low-cost, high-bandwidth, and high-density optical fiber interconnects in powering cloud computing.
Researchers from Germany have developed a way to encode wireless broadband signals using desk lamps, exploiting synergy between illumination and information. The system uses visible-frequency wireless with all the bandwidth one could want, achieving record speeds of up to 230 Mbit/s with commercial LEDs.
At the 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting, the Optical Society and American Physical Society sponsored a seminar on the birth, growth, and future of laser technology. The symposium showcased the impact of lasers on various fields, including medicine, energy, and national security.
A German research team has developed a visualization tool to render partially or completely cloaked objects, revealing the visual effects of such mechanisms and their imperfections. The tool, called the 'carpet cloak,' creates photorealistic images that demonstrate how optical devices work.
Scientists have developed a simple and portable method to detect tuberculosis (TB) bacteria using light, which may help identify people with latent infections. The technology, if refined, could be used in the developing world where most TB cases occur.
A new computer program called EFIT-V is being used by European police departments to help witnesses remember and recognize suspects. The software generates multiple faces that evolve based on the witness' memories, increasing identifications of suspects compared to traditional methods.
Researchers have made significant advancements in imaging live neurons and developing hearts, with a new scope helping premature babies breathe easier. Optical coherence tomography has enabled the visualization of embryonic heart dynamics, paving the way for studies on developmental causes of birth defects.
Researchers in Australia have developed the first efficient diamond Raman laser, achieving an efficiency of 63.5%, comparable to existing lasers built with other materials. This technology has potential applications in defense technologies, trace gas detectors, medical devices, and satellite mapping.
Researchers developed a non-destructive way to measure the elasticity of human teeth using lasers, enabling early detection of oral health issues. The new method can help predict emerging dental problems like tooth decay and cavities.
Researchers at CLEO/IQEC Meeting present advancements in electro-optics, lasers and light-based treatments for faster wound healing. Autonomous vehicle technology has made significant progress with futuristic sensors and computing capabilities, promising to revolutionize transportation and warfare.
Plant physiologists use UV LEDs to create darker, redder lettuce rich in antioxidants, potentially improving human health. The effect is most noticeable at specific wavelengths and increases with light intensity.
Researchers at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics have created an 'astro-comb' to help detect lighter planets around distant stars. The technique sharpens spectroscopy, enabling more accurate pinpointing of planet locations and opening possibilities for detecting more Earth-like planets.
Researchers created ultra-detailed 3-D images of over 2,000 people's eyes to study age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The high-resolution images provide a detailed view of the retina's layers and abnormalities that cause AMD.
Researchers at NEC Laboratories America have developed a simpler receiver to reduce costs of tomorrow's Internet. The device uses a direct-detection receiver that relies on a narrow optical carrier signal, enabling reliable detection of signals sent at 40G.
A new device using a Raman amplifier has successfully transmitted data over 37 miles of single-mode fiber, error-free, at a speed of 2.5 Gb/s. This technology could provide high-speed Internet to 99% of Australians living in Victoria, closing the digital divide.
Researchers have developed a new way to detect early stages of diabetic retinopathy using beams of light to measure blood flow in the back of the eye. This technique may provide a more quantitative and less invasive method for diagnosing the condition, potentially cutting costs.
Engineers at UCLA have successfully harnessed 'rogue' laser waves to produce brighter, more stable white light sources. The new technology reduces fluctuations by at least 90% and decreases energy needed by 25%. This breakthrough could pave the way for better clocks, faster cameras, and more powerful radar and communications technologies.
The combined Journal of Optical Communications and Networking will cover theoretical and practical advances in optical communications networks. Co-editors-in-chief Keren Bergman and Vincent W.S. Chan expect the journal to accelerate optical communication and network research.