Articles tagged with Applied Optics
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a secure hologram platform that stores information using the wavelength of light and spacing between metasurface layers. The technology enables information processing using light alone, without electrical power or electronic chips.
The portable optical sensor uses machine learning to analyze spectral patterns and estimate grape ripeness directly on the vine. This technology promises significant business benefits for winemakers by providing non-destructive, real-time insight into grape ripeness, reducing labor and time required for sampling and analysis.
Researchers at TU Wien combined two microscopy techniques to create a method for measuring the optical properties of biological samples with high precision. By analyzing the size of fluorescent molecules' light disks, they can determine the refractive index of materials and reconstruct three-dimensional images.
A team at Stanford University developed a new optical cavity architecture that enables efficient collection of single photons from single atoms, paving the way for million-qubit quantum computer networks. This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in materials design, chemical synthesis, and medical research.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a pair of sensors that can detect ice and freezing rain, alerting pilots to potential hazards and reducing crashes. The sensors use microwaves and lasers to detect ice on planes and roads, potentially saving lives by slowing down drivers and preventing accidents.
Guosong Hong was honored with the inaugural award for his groundbreaking research on tissue clearing, a technology that makes organs visible to visible light. His work has far-reaching applications in noninvasive diagnostic imaging and clinical translation.
A research team developed a zero-dimensional hybrid metal halide that exhibits reversible fluorescence switching under pressure and solvent stimulation. The material can be toggled between non-emissive and highly emissive states, paving the way for multifunctional optical applications.
Hu's work spans harmful algal blooms, oil spills, coastal water quality, and floating macroalgae with impacts at local, regional, national, and global scales. His discovery of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has profound ecological, economic, and public health implications.
A team from Harvard and University of Lisbon found that silica, a low-refractive index material, can be used for making metasurfaces despite long-held assumptions. They discovered that by carefully considering the geometry of each nanopillar, silica behaves as a metasurface, enabling efficient design of devices with relaxed feature sizes.
Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University create a new machining method that combines laser and magnetic fields to machine advanced materials like high-entropy alloys. The dual-field approach produces smoother surfaces, reduced damage, and improved material removal rates.
A new terahertz spectroscopy system combines high spectral resolution with micrometer-level spatial resolution, enabling the study of complex light-matter interactions. The system achieved a spatial resolution of 20 µm and a spectral resolution of up to 100 MHz.
A research team led by NTU Singapore has recorded a tiny mechanical twitch in living human and rodent eyes when rod photoreceptors detect light. This breakthrough could provide a new non-invasive way to assess retinal health and diagnose blinding eye diseases earlier.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new technique to convert low-energy light into high-energy LEDs, improving the ability to upconvert green light to blue or ultraviolet light. The method uses plasmonics to boost upconversion on a thin metal film, reducing the power needed by 19 times compared to previous setups.
Researchers introduce a novel calculation approach to achieve high-quality holographic imaging in vehicle head-up displays. The 'zoom lens' method reduces computation time by 58% and eliminates zero-padding, enabling seamless virtual and physical reality.
Researchers developed a V-band ultra-fast tunable thin film lithium niobate Fourier-domain mode-locked optoelectronic oscillator to generate LCMW with low phase noise and large TBWP. The FDML OEO achieved record-breaking high radiofrequency oscillations up to 65 GHz.
Scientists have developed a platform for generating and detecting ultrashort UV-C laser pulses using atomically-thin semiconductors. The system demonstrates a free-space communication system and has the potential to unlock new opportunities in non-line-of-sight communication systems.
The Advanced Photonics Young Innovator Award honors outstanding papers published in SPIE-CLP's journal over the past five years. Seven recipients are celebrated for their diverse range of innovative research, which shapes the future of optics and photonics.
Researchers from HKUST developed a germanium-ion-implanted silicon waveguide photodiode that achieves high responsivity and ultra-low optical loss, significantly enhancing the performance of on-chip light monitoring. The device is well-suited for integration into photonic circuits without disturbing primary signal flow.
Researchers at CU Boulder have introduced a solution to improving desalination plant performance by observing in real-time membrane fouling using SRS. The technique helps maximize filtration efficiency and reduce energy use, making it crucial for ensuring global access to clean water.
Scientists have developed a new approach to analyzing polarization data, offering a more accurate understanding of complex materials. The elliptical vectorial metrics model simplifies the interpretation of polarization information, improving biomedical imaging and material design.
Liu's project aims to translate optoretinography into a sensitive clinical biomarker for retinal disease assessment. The fellowship supports interdisciplinary problem-driven research and translation of new technologies into clinical practice.
A newly developed wearable sensor uses polarized light to improve photoplethysmography (PPG) signal accuracy across different skin tones. The device splits light into two channels, detecting co-polarized and cross-polarized signals to filter out superficial scattering and capture stronger signals from deeper tissue.
Researchers have demonstrated how controlling the structure of photons in space and time enables tailored quantum states for next-generation communication, sensing, and imaging. This breakthrough offers new pathways for high-capacity quantum communication and advanced technologies.
Research reveals AI's potential to harness structured light for optical communications, microscopy, and computing. Complex patterns in structured light enable natural robustness and vast encoding possibilities.
Researchers proposed ACAL system for fabricating micro ring-shaped metasurface unit cells on highly curved substrates, demonstrating extended depth of focus and robustness against defocus. The method improved minimum annular feature size by over 10 times compared to conventional methods.
Researchers have demonstrated single-shot tensor computing at the speed of light, a breakthrough step towards next-generation AI hardware. This method uses optical computation to perform complex tensor operations, enabling fast and low-power processing.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new microscope that can detect signals over an intensity range 14 times wider than conventional microscopes, enabling label-free observations of cells and particles.
A new study uses X-ray microcomputed tomography to image and analyze 3D chaotic microcavities without harming them. The team found that distorted shapes lead to Arnold diffusion, confirming a long-standing theoretical prediction about 3D chaotic light dynamics.
Scientists at Max Born Institute and DESY develop a plasma lens that focuses attosecond pulses, improving the study of ultrafast electron dynamics. The technique offers high transmission rates and allows for focusing light across different colors.
A new technology developed by Fibarcode uses photonic fibers to create unique codes that can be scanned to verify a garment's fabric content and designer labels. The technology has the potential to increase recycling rates and prevent counterfeiting.
Researchers develop Controllable Spiral Magnetorheological Finishing (CSMRF) to eliminate mid-spatial-frequency ripple errors in sub-aperture polishing. This method integrates adaptive path spacing and spatially varying tool influence function, achieving effective control over targeted error distributions.
The University of Michigan's three-year project, ORACLE, harnesses laser links for power and momentum transfer, enabling satellites to move without fuel. This innovation aims to transform constellations into dynamic, interconnected systems, improving sustainability and resilience.
A new platform allows researchers to study the forces that bind tiny objects together, revealing insights into self-assembly processes and fundamental forces in nature. The platform uses gold flakes in a salt solution, with light bouncing back and forth through nanometre-sized cavities to display colors.
Researchers develop novel dual-laser method to create adaptive, shape-locking devices. The material integrates a shape-memory polymer skeleton with magnetic microcapsules, allowing for 'writing' and 'bending' of instructions and shapes in situ.
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University create a new method for fabricating ultra-uniform surface structures with features as small as 46 nanometers. The technique uses a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion, overcoming the challenge of creating uniform nanostructures smaller than 100 nanometers.
Researchers at Aalto University have successfully connected a time crystal to an external system, enabling the development of highly accurate sensors and memory systems for quantum computers. This breakthrough could significantly boost the power of quantum computing by harnessing the unique properties of time crystals.
Researchers review approaches to overcome THz endoscopy limitations in medical diagnostics, discussing advantages and drawbacks of notable systems. Notable examples highlight the potential of THz endoscopy in medical applications, despite challenges related to commercial endoscope availability.
Scientists develop a method for multi-dimensional holographic multiplexing and encryption using full-modulation dielectric geometric-phase metasurfaces. This enables accurate high-capacity information integration with low crosstalk and ideal energy uniformity.
Researchers discovered how individual MXene flakes behave at the single-flake level, revealing changes in conductivity and optical response. The new spectroscopic micro-ellipsometry technique allowed for non-destructive measurements of individual MXene flakes, providing fundamental knowledge needed to design smarter technologies.
The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.
Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a binder-free method for 3D printing silica glass using light to trigger a chemical reaction. This breakthrough enables custom, high-performance glass components that were previously impossible to manufacture.
A new photodiode design using germanium-ion-implanted silicon overcomes trade-offs in existing power monitors for on-chip light monitoring, enabling faster processing speeds and higher energy efficiency. The device demonstrates high responsivity and low dark current, making it suitable for integration into photonic circuits.
A novel metasurface design using vanadium dioxide enables fast, energy-efficient modulation of terahertz waves. This allows for real-time holographic encryption and decoding, with applications in secure communication, medical imaging, and more.
Researchers developed an electrically tunable metasurface for THz holographic devices, leveraging VO2's reversible transition to minimize energy consumption and response time. The microladder design enables real-time operation, fast switching times, and robust performance.
A new paper in Science reports proven quantum advantage, where entangled light lets researchers learn a system's noise with very few measurements. The experiment cuts the number of measurements needed by an enormous factor, from 20 million years to just 15 minutes.
A team of scientists developed a multispectral dynamic regulator based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) for tunable control in visible and mid-infrared bands. The device achieves dynamic color-thermal camouflage, mitigating interference from additional heat sources and enhancing performance across diverse environments.
A new fast-hyperspectral imaging remote sensing technique enables precise imaging and quantification of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from marine vessels. The system achieves accurate plume categorization, outline identification, and detailed observation of trace gas distribution.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have developed the smallest on-chip motor in history, capable of fitting inside a human hair. The new motor uses laser light to set gears in motion, enabling microscopic machines that can control light and manipulate small particles.
A team from the University of Seville recreated La Pileta Cave's morphology and rock art using LiDAR technology. The research provides new tools for understanding and preserving cultural heritage, including accurate 3D models and immersive educational experiences.
Researchers developed a photonic-acoustic analysis scheme that integrates dual optical combs, multi-sensor parallel processing and electronic signal processing for unparalleled capabilities in sound detection, localization and recognition.
Researchers developed an all-flexible, self-cleaning smart window that fine-tunes solar gain in real time and protects against environmental contaminants. The device's multifunctionality could accelerate green building development and address climate change concerns.
Researchers mapped key aspects of electron pulses that can generate laser-like X-ray pulses, improving access to XFELs. The technique enables studying molecule behavior in detail and advancing fields like chemistry and medicine.
Researchers developed a plasmonic meta-RTWO with ultrahigh phase accuracy and figure of merit (FOM), overcoming traditional designs' limitations. The technology enables applications such as real-time calibration of antenna arrays in 6G massive MIMO systems and subpicosecond synchronization for terahertz quantum communication.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed photonic chips for training physical neural networks, eliminating digitisation requirements. This allows for faster, more robust, and efficient network training using light signals.
Reconstructive spectrometers combine miniaturized encoding hardware and computational reconstruction algorithms for high-fidelity spectral analysis. The field has seen significant advancements, enabling real-time spectral analysis in diverse environments, with applications ranging from healthcare to consumer electronics.
A team of scientists developed a method to precisely control Dirac plasmon polaritons in two-dimensional materials, opening new possibilities for advanced nanophotonic technologies. By adjusting the spacing between coupled nanostructures, they increased the polariton wavevector by up to 20% and extended the attenuation length by more t...
A new computational enhancement to structured illumination microscopy improves 3D imaging clarity and stability, addressing challenges of uniform illumination patterns in cells. Principal component analysis is used to uncover underlying order from complex signals, enabling more adaptive and robust reconstruction.
Researchers developed a stable Chichibabin diradicaloid with high luminescence and photothermal conversion efficiency, enabling precise near-infrared imaging-guided tumor ablation. Its water-soluble nanoparticles showed excellent NIR imaging performance and achieved high photothermal conversion efficiency.
The new Harvard device can turn purely digital electronic inputs into analog optical signals at high speeds, addressing the bottleneck of computing and data interconnects. It has the potential to enable advances in microwave photonics and emerging optical computing approaches.
Researchers at Umea University have demonstrated a custom-built laser facility generating ultrashort laser pulses with extreme peak power and precisely controlled waveforms. The Light Wave Synthesizer 100 (LWS100) spans 11 meters in length, capable of producing 100 terawatts for a few millionth of a billionth of a second.