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Photonic integrated erbium doped amplifiers reach commercial performance

Researchers at EPFL have developed a photonic integrated circuit based erbium-doped amplifier that generates record output power and provides high gain, matching commercial EDFAs. This breakthrough enables new applications in optical communications, LiDAR, quantum sensing, and memories.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJun 16, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Highly efficient acousto-optic modulation using nonsuspended thin-film lithium niobate-chalcogenide hybrid waveguides

Scientists have developed a built-in push-pull acousto-optic modulator with high energy overlap, achieving comparable efficiency to suspended counterparts. The device overcomes issues with low modulation efficiency and exhibits excellent characteristics for on-chip microwave-to-optical conversion devices.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 24, 2022

Halting a wave in its tracks

By pairing two waveguides, one with an ill-defined topology and another with a well-defined one, researchers created a topological singularity that can halt waves in their tracks. This phenomenon has potential applications in energy harvesting and enhancing nonlinear effects.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 23, 2022

New polymer materials make fabricating optical interconnects easier

Researchers developed new polymer materials with adjustable refractive index, enabling easy creation of optical interconnects between photonic chips and board-level circuits. The technology has the potential to boost Internet data center efficiency by reducing power consumption and heat generation.

SourceOptica·JournalOptical Materials Express·DateApr 13, 2022

A novel SiPh-based mode converter with multi-function

Researchers at Peking University propose a novel structure for a slot-strip mode converter, reducing optical insertion loss and supporting both TE0 and TM0 polarizations. The converter enables advanced functions like polarization division multiplexing, with low polarization-dependent losses.

SourceHigher Education Press·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Vectorial metrics reveal complex optical information

Researchers developed a new framework to extract meaningful vectorial metrics from Mueller matrix elements, providing insights into exotic material characterization and precise cancer boundary detection. The framework establishes a universal metric for calculating different physical properties of target objects.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 29, 2022

Donuts and laser beams

Topologists have successfully applied their tools to lasers, enabling the creation of a laser beam whose energies follow a topologically non-trivial loop. This property leads to unique amplification patterns in the light emitted by the laser.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022

An innovative technology for 6G communication networks

Researchers developed a new waveguide to overcome limitations in THz signal transmission and processing. The device allows for unprecedented flexibility towards manipulating THz pulses, enabling complex signal-processing functionalities such as holographic messaging.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Ultra-thin 3D lensless fiber endoscopy using diffractive optical elements and deep neural networks

Researchers have developed a new method for 3D imaging without distal optics, enabling high-resolution endomicroscopy with diameters below 0.5 millimeters. The approach uses diffractive optical elements to compensate phase distortions in fiber bundles, allowing for robust and low-cost medical imaging.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateDec 9, 2021

Meter-scale plasma waveguides push the particle accelerator envelope

Researchers have made a significant advance in shrinking the size of particle accelerators by using intense lasers and plasmas. They demonstrated functional equivalent of a confining metal tube waveguide, generating plasma waveguiding of up to 300-terawatt laser pulses, and accelerating electrons up to 5 GeV over a distance of only 20 cm.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 8, 2021

Topological valley Hall edge solitons in photonics

Researchers discovered a novel topological edge soliton that inherits topological protection from its linear counterpart, enabling robust and localized light beams. This breakthrough is achieved through nonlinear photorefractive lattices harnessing the valley Hall effect, without requiring an external magnetic field.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Following the bouncing eyeball in augmented reality

Researchers have integrated holographic optical elements to create a waveguide eye-tracking system that can track eye movements in near-infrared wavelengths. This design enables the development of more efficient and powerful augmented reality systems.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalOptical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

‘Shadow waveguide’ casts complex acoustic patterns to control particles

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to using sound waves to manipulate tiny particles suspended in liquid in complex ways. The 'shadow waveguide' technique creates a tightly confined, spatially complex acoustic field inside a chamber without requiring any interior structure.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021

Achieving UV nonlinearity with a wide bandgap semiconductor waveguide

Researchers achieved giant nonlinearity of UV hybrid light-matter states up to room temperature in a wide bandgap semiconductor material. This breakthrough enables the development of new on-chip ultrafast spectroscopy devices with unprecedented sensitivity.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 9, 2021

Parallel universes cross in Flatland

Scientists have discovered a way to modify the energy landscape of 2D materials by arranging them in a 3D configuration, creating parallel worlds with unique properties. This new arrangement, known as a nanomesh, has strong nonlinear optical properties and opens up possibilities for quantum computing and communication applications.

SourceUniversity of Bath·DateMay 10, 2021

Lithium niobate crystal film for integrated photonic applications

The article reviews progress in microstructure engineering and domain engineering of lithium niobate photonics, including photonic modulation and nonlinear photonics. High-efficiency wavelength converters using optical waveguides involve nonlinear integrated photonics.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 11, 2021
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Noninvasive way to explore traumatic brain injuries

Researchers have developed a noninvasive method to measure the stiffness of tissues within the brain's gray and white matter, which can reveal clues about traumatic brain injuries. The new technique, known as waveguide elastography, merges acoustic imaging methods and algorithms to provide diagnostic insights.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateDec 9, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Light confinement in a 3D space

Researchers at SUTD demonstrate high-resolution 3D waveguides guiding light in a spiral and air-bridge configuration, achieving low loss and high bandwidth. The 3D fabrication enables error-free optical transmission at high speeds and showcases the devices' suitability as low-loss waveguides.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateNov 26, 2020

Nanodots made of photovoltaic material support waveguide modes

Researchers developed a novel spectroscopic technique to study stibnite nanostructures, revealing their potential as high-optical-quality waveguides. The technique allows for the measurement of spectrally resolved intensity profiles within individual nanodots, demonstrating that they can support four modes over a 200-nm bandwidth.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 26, 2020

The interplay of nonlinearity and topology--nontrivial eigenmodes coupling induced by nonlinearity

A team of scientists experimentally demonstrated nonlinearity-induced coupling of light into topological edge states using a photonic platform. They developed a general theoretical framework to explain the nonlinear process, revealing that nonlinearity enables energy flow from bulk modes into topological edge modes in linear systems.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 24, 2020

'Giant atoms' enable quantum processing and communication in one

MIT researchers develop an on-off system that allows for low-error quantum computations and rapid sharing of quantum information between processors. The system uses 'giant atoms' made from superconducting qubits, enabling high-fidelity operations and interconnection between processors.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 29, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Silicon core fishbone waveguide extends frequency comb

Researchers have designed a graded index waveguide that allows the width of a frequency comb to be more than doubled, compensating for material dispersion in silicon. This breakthrough enables the creation of chip-based frequency combs for high-precision spectroscopy and compact spectrometers.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 23, 2020

Quantum simulation: Particle behavior near the event horizon of block hole

Researchers used femtosecond laser direct write technology to simulate curved space-time near a black hole. They observed accelerated single-photon wave packets and fermion pairs escaping the black hole, mimicking Hawking radiation. This experiment demonstrates the potential for quantum simulation in studying general relativity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 16, 2020

Scientists grow optical chips in a petri dish

A team of scientists from ITMO University developed a method to create optical chips in a Petri dish using gallium phosphide as a material for the waveguides. The new chip elements are three times smaller than those working in the IR spectral range, enabling compact and affordable production of lasers and waveguides.

SourceITMO University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 16, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Scientists propose data encoding method for the 6G standard

Researchers from ITMO University have proposed a new data encoding method for the 6G standard using terahertz pulses. The method involves extending the pulse in time to increase its duration and achieve interference between two chirped pulses, enabling faster data transfer.

SourceITMO University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 11, 2020

Researchers solve 'link discovery' problem for terahertz data networks

A team of researchers from Brown and Rice University has developed a means of performing link discovery with terahertz radiation, enabling ultra-fast wireless data transmission. The approach uses a device called a leaky waveguide to exploit the properties of terahertz waves and track client devices in real-time.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 24, 2020

Extreme high-frequency signals enable terabits-per-second data links

Using technology that allows high-frequency signals to travel on regular phone lines, researchers successfully transmitted data at rates of terabits per second through a pair of copper wires. The discovery could enable faster data transfer in applications such as chip-to-chip communication and data center networks.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 31, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Tiny double accelerator recycles energy

A miniature double particle accelerator has been built by DESY scientists, recycling some of the laser energy to boost the electrons' energy a second time. The device uses terahertz radiation and achieved an increase in electron energy from 55 to 56.5 kilo electron volts.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMar 20, 2020

On-chip single-mode CdS nanowire laser

Researchers from Light Publishing Center demonstrated an on-chip single-mode CdS nanowire laser with high coupling efficiency, achieving lasing at approximately 518.9 nm with a linewidth of 0.1 nm and side-mode suppression ratio of 20.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 19, 2020

Silicon-graphene hybrid plasmonic waveguide photodetectors beyond 1.55 μm

Scientists from Zhejiang University and Southeast University in China proposed a novel silicon-graphene hybrid plasmonic waveguide, achieving high-performance photodetectors beyond 1.55 μm. The graphene absorption efficiencies are as high as 54.3% and 68.6%, with measured responsivities of 30-70 mA/W at 2 μm and 0.4 A/W at 1.55 μm.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 13, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Blood and sweat: Wearable medical sensors will get major sensitivity boost

Researchers at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology propose a radically new biosensor design that could increase detector sensitivity many times over, making it suitable for mobile and wearable devices. The new layout aims to make biosensors easier to manufacture, cheaper, and more responsive.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalSensors·DateFeb 13, 2020

MIPT physicists find ways to overcome signal loss in magnonic circuits

Physicists from MIPT and Russian universities have developed a parametric model to predict optimal waveguide configurations for magnonic circuits. The research reveals that spin wave interference can cause significant signal loss, leading to a breakthrough in designing efficient magnonic logic elements.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJan 2, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Smaller than a coin

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a compact spectrometer that can analyze infrared light in the same way as conventional spectrometers. The device uses special waveguides with an adjustable optical refractive index to disperse the spectrum of incident light, allowing for broad spectral analysis.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 8, 2019

Thinnest optical waveguide channels light within just three layers of atoms

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the world's thinnest optical device, a waveguide consisting of three layers of atoms thin. The waveguide channels light in the visible spectrum and supports electron-hole pairs, generating a strong optical response.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 12, 2019
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Inkjet printers can produce cheap micro-waveguides for optical computers

Scientists from ITMO University propose a new technology for creating optical micro-waveguides using inkjet printing, which is optimized for industrial-scale production. This method removes major limitations in waveguide creation and has the potential to enable photon computing devices.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateNov 20, 2018

NRL demonstrates new non-mechanical laser steering technology

Scientists at NRL have developed a chip-based beam steering technology that steers laser light in two dimensions without mechanical devices, offering improved steering capability and higher scan speed rates. The new technology has potential applications in chemical sensing, monitoring emissions, and other industrial facilities.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America·DateNov 19, 2018

Columbia engineers build smallest integrated Kerr frequency comb generator

Researchers developed a low-power chip that integrates lasers and frequency combs for the first time, enabling ultrafast processes in physics, biology and chemistry. The device can be powered by an AAA battery, opening up new possibilities for portable devices.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature·DateOct 8, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Concepts for new switchable plasmonic nanodevices: A magneto-plasmonic nanoscale router and a high-contrast magneto-plasmonic disk modulator controlled by external magnetic fields

Researchers developed new magneto-plasmonic nanoscale routers and modulators for various nanophotonic functionalities. The devices exploit the propagation of surface-plasmon-polaritons in magneto-plasmonic waveguides to achieve high-contrast switching.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 6, 2018

On-chip optical filter processes wide range of light wavelengths

Researchers at MIT have designed an optical filter on a chip that can process optical signals from across an extremely wide spectrum of light. The technology offers greater precision and flexibility for designing photonic devices, studying photons, and other applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 1, 2018

Trapping light that doesn't bounce off track for faster electronics

A new protective metamaterial 'cladding' prevents light from leaking out of curvy pathways in computer chips, allowing for more efficient processing. This breakthrough enables the integration of photonic with electric circuitry, increasing communication speed and reducing power consumption.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Capturing light in a waveguide array

A team of physicists has demonstrated a way to confine light in a waveguide array, making it insensitive to defects. This innovation could lead to cheaper and more efficient photonic devices, such as lasers and solar cells, by reducing material imperfections.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 4, 2018

Innovative light-delivery technique improves biosensors

A new approach to injecting light into silicon microdisks enhances the performance of chip-based biosensors, leading to more sensitive detection of diseases. The end-fire injection technique offers improved robustness and reduced cost, paving the way for commercial applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMay 17, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

MSU scientists created a magnetic trap for neutrons

Researchers at MSU develop a magnetic waveguide to sort and store neutrons based on their quantum state, enabling spintronics research. The breakthrough uses magnetic reflection to separate neutrons with different spins, opening up new possibilities for studying electronic devices.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJan 9, 2018

A look into the fourth dimension

Researchers from ETH Zurich, USA, Germany, Italy, and Israel create a four-dimensional physical phenomenon in two dimensions using the quantum Hall effect. The team, led by Oded Zilberberg, demonstrates a virtual fourth dimension through topological pumping, enabling the observation of four-dimensional quantum Hall effect characteristics.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateJan 4, 2018

Four-dimensional physics in two dimensions

Researchers at Penn State and ETH Zurich have demonstrated the behavior of particles of light in a two-dimensional array of waveguides, matching predictions for the four-dimensional quantum Hall effect. This achievement provides evidence for higher-dimensional quantum Hall physics, with potential applications in novel photonic devices.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJan 3, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Asymmetric sound absorption lets in the light

Researchers have developed an asymmetric sound absorber that can absorb sound energy while allowing light and air to pass through. The system uses a two-port design with a waveguide, enabling near-total absorption of sound energy from outside the room.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 6, 2017