Researchers have developed a superconducting silicon-photonic chip for quantum communication, enabling optimal Bell-state measurement of time-bin encoded qubits. This breakthrough enhances the key rate of secure quantum communication and removes detector side-channel attacks, significantly increasing security.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021
Scientists have developed a new material, black phosphorous, only three atoms thick, which can control light with unprecedented precision. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize telecommunications and pave the way for Li-Fi, a light-based replacement for Wi-Fi.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2021
Researchers have made a breakthrough in Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) by sending two laser beams together, reducing distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence. This innovation promises to improve wireless communication speeds and security for applications such as high-speed internet, airplanes, drones, and satellites.
SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021
Scientists found that amorphous carbon coatings used to protect optical fibers from moisture can break down due to interaction with water molecules. The coating's thickness increases, leading to an irreversible increase in electrical resistance and a decrease in transparency.
SourceKazan Federal University·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A team of scientists from Germany develops a novel all-fiber based endoscopic set-up for multimodal non-linear endoscopy, allowing for the reliable assessment of tissue and successful surgery. The probe enables label-free tissue diagnostics, including tumor margin detection, and has the potential to improve patient care and reduce costs.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateOct 14, 2021
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a new, low-cost seismic monitoring system that can detect changes in pore pressure with greater than 99.99% accuracy. The system uses a small seismic source and distributed acoustic sensing technology to monitor subsurface formations over an extensive area at a relatively low cost.
SourceKyushu University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 7, 2021
Electrical engineers at Duke University have discovered a way to extend the use of chalcogenide glasses into the visible and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. By nanostructuring these materials, they can create high-order harmonic frequencies that enable transmission of light at previously inaccessible wavelengths.
SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 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.
A research team at POSTECH observes synchronized oscillations of optical intensity and symmetry-breaking transitions at an exceptional point. They also discover energy-difference conservation for the first time in the optical domain using APT symmetry platforms based on nonlinear four-wave-mixing.
SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 23, 2021
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique optical amplifier that offers high performance, is compact enough to integrate into a chip just millimeters in size, and does not generate excess noise. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize both space and fiber communication.
SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2021
Researchers from DTU develop Fano laser, harnessing bound-state-in-the-continuum to improve coherence. This advancement enables ultrafast and low-noise nanolasers for high-speed computing and integrated photonics.
SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 30, 2021
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.
Researchers developed the first transparent fiber–millimeter-wave–fiber system in the 100-GHz band using a low-loss broadband optical modulator with direct photonic down-conversion. The system successfully demonstrated high-speed transmission of over 70 Gbit/s over a wired and wireless converged system.
SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·DateAug 6, 2021
Researchers developed a non-invasive optical technique using spectroscopy to identify structural changes in the brain and diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The new technology has potential as a simple, completely non-invasive method of early detection and could also assess treatment effectiveness.
SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2021
Researchers from NICT demonstrated a world record 319 Tb/s long-haul transmission of wideband S, C and L-bands signal using 552 PDM-16QAM channels in a 4-core optical fiber. The system enabled transmission distance over 3,001 km with both erbium and thulium doped-fiber amplifiers and distributed Raman amplification.
SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·DateJul 12, 2021
Photonic researchers successfully demonstrated a temporal compression system that can squeeze light in time by 11 times, allowing more data to be transmitted in a given time duration. This technology also enables the spectral compression of light, which could facilitate higher spectral densities and faster optical communications networks.
SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·DateJul 5, 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.
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has patented a multicore fibre optic monitoring system for 5G networks, optimizing energy consumption while preserving data transmission capacity. The system can monitor temperature changes, energy distribution, and communication channel state using a single optical signal.
SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalJournal of Lightwave Technology·DateJun 22, 2021
Researchers have developed a new method to control scrambled light in optical fibres, allowing for high-resolution imaging of individual cells. This technology has the potential to guide biopsy needles and identify diseased cells within the body.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 18, 2021
Ajo-Franklin's lab is developing advanced fiber-optic sensors to monitor CO2 storage sites, allowing for the detection of small faults that could lead to leakage. The project aims to enhance safety and security at storage sites using distributed acoustic sensing technology.
Researchers discovered non-reciprocal propagation in polarization-maintaining optical fibers due to ultrasound interaction. This phenomenon enhances sensing measurements and signal processing beyond the fiber's boundaries, opening new possibilities for advanced sensor networks.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJun 11, 2021
Scientists demonstrate a new technique to sense geophysical events using transoceanic fiber optic cables, offering potential for early warnings of tsunamis and earthquakes. The method measures tiny changes in polarization of transmitted light, enabling monitoring of previously inaccessible ocean depths.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Toshiba has demonstrated record distances for quantum communications using a novel 'dual band' stabilisation technique, enabling QKD over 600km. The technique sends two optical reference signals to minimise phase fluctuations on long fibres, resulting in constant optical phase stability even after propagation through hundreds of km.
SourceToshiba Corporation·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 7, 2021
The OSA Foundation and Corning Incorporated have awarded three women graduate students with $5,000 scholarships to support their research in optical communications and networking. The recipients will present their work at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition.
Researchers devise novel technique to 'flip' optical wavefront for simultaneous transmission through multimode fiber without distortion. This enables enhanced channel capacity in long multimode fibers.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 10, 2021
A team of scientists has developed a phonon probe that uses optical fibers to create high-resolution 3D images of biological cells and tissue. The device achieves lateral resolution of 2.5 μm and can measure object height with 45 nm precision, opening up new possibilities for non-destructive diagnostics.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMay 6, 2021
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.
Researchers use fiber optic cable to detect small earthquakes in ice, offering insights into ice movement and deformation under changing climate conditions. The technique also improves monitoring of underground carbon capture and storage projects.,
Researchers developed a method to enhance fiber optic receivers using quantum physics properties, increasing network performance while reducing error bit rate and energy consumption. The new system decodes up to four bits per pulse, improving detection accuracy and efficiency.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAVS Quantum Science·DateApr 20, 2021
Sandia National Laboratories has successfully analyzed the first seafloor dataset from under Arctic sea ice using a new underwater technique. The team detected natural and human-caused activities, including ice quakes and transportation activities, while also monitoring for climate signals and marine life.
A team of scientists at the National Institutes of Natural Sciences has successfully developed a broadband mid-infrared (MIR) source with high beam quality, enabling simplified environmental monitoring systems. The MIR source facilitates industrial and medical applications, including gas detection and breath analysis.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 31, 2021
A new technique called time-extended ΦOTDR (TE-OTDR) allows for strain and/or temperature sensing with resolutions on the cm scale over up to 1 km range, enabling cost-effective DOFS in short-range and high-resolution applications.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 22, 2021
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Scientists directly observed frequency Bloch oscillations in a modulated fibre loop using dispersive Fourier transformation. They achieved a maximum frequency shift up to 82 GHz and broadened the input pulse bandwidth up to 312 GHz.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMar 11, 2021
A team of researchers at Penn State has developed a method to turn existing telecommunication infrastructure into a valuable resource for monitoring ground vibrations. By using fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing technology, they can detect a wide variety of signal vibrations, including those caused by earthquakes, music concerts,...
Researchers successfully detected storm swell events and earthquakes across a nine-month observation period using the Curie cable's telecommunications data. The approach transforms the ocean's fiber optic network into a continuous, real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring system.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateFeb 25, 2021
Researchers developed a data transfer system that pairs high-frequency silicon chips with a polymer cable as thin as a strand of hair, transmitting information up to 10 times faster than a USB. The system offers improved energy efficiency and bandwidth for applications such as server farms, aerospace, and automotive industries.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 24, 2021
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.
Researchers have developed a new type of photonic crystal fiber with a hybrid Kagome-tubular lattice structure, achieving ultralow loss and single-mode operation. The fiber's cladding design significantly reduces confinement loss and ensures robust single-mode performance.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateFeb 21, 2021
The new sensor measures small pressure changes in the body with high sensitivity and can detect pressure changes of just 2 kilopascals. It is designed to be implantable for long-term health monitoring and has a resolution of 2.0 kilopascals.
Researchers have successfully measured back-reflection in cutting-edge hollow-core fibers, revealing a property that outperforms standard optical fibers. This discovery has the potential to improve internet performance and enhance various photonic applications.
SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalOptica·DateFeb 15, 2021
A Duke University research team has made a major advance toward ditching fiber in fiber optics by capturing visible and infrared light for high-speed wireless internet. The researchers replicated plasmonic speed enhancements on macroscopic devices, achieving speeds of two gigabits per second.
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.
Researchers aim to create an 'intelligent' pipeline that can detect defects through acoustic and vibrational signatures, enabling targeted in-situ repairs with reduced downtime and costs. The project also plans to develop economic models and regulatory modifications for commercialization.
Researchers at KAUST developed a high-precision 3D printing process to fabricate photonic crystal fibers with unprecedented ease and precision. This allows for the creation of small-scale optical devices capable of using photons for high-speed information processing, featuring tight space confinement of light.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalOptica·DateJan 25, 2021
Researchers at the University of Bonn have created miniaturized optical fiber filters that are color-tunable and extremely compact. These filters have promising applications in quantum technology and sensor development, enabling efficient storage and manipulation of light energy.
SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 20, 2021
Researchers have developed a femtosecond laser with unprecedented precision and stability, allowing for the observation of chemical transformations inside cells and the creation of ultra-thin layers on microchips. The laser's harmonic mode locking system enables precise control over pulse frequencies, opening up new avenues for applica...
SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Lightwave Technology·DateJan 11, 2021
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.
A team of researchers has developed a novel approach to measuring magnetic fields using 'damaged' polymer optical fibers. The sensor can detect small magnetic field changes, several hundreds of times smaller than conventional methods, and is suitable for applications in electric power systems.
SourceYokohama National University·JournalAdvanced Photonics Research·DateJan 7, 2021
The team has established a quantum key distribution system over a total distance of 4,600 kilometers for users across China. The system uses trusted relays, ground-based fiber networks, and satellite-to-ground links to achieve unhackable encryption for secure information transfer.
SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2021
Researchers developed a new type of hollow core optical fiber, known as nodeless antiresonant fiber (NANF), to overcome performance limitations in resonator fiber optic gyroscopes. The new gyroscope achieves significant improvements in stability, enabling precise navigation systems for various applications.
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
Researchers demonstrated the world's first transmission exceeding 1 petabit per second in a single-core multi-mode optical fiber, increasing the current record data rate by more than 2.5 times. This achievement showcases the potential of single-core multimode fibers for high-capacity transmission using standard manufacturing processes.
SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·DateDec 18, 2020
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive method for testing liquid biological samples using in-fiber multispectral optical sensing. The sensor shows high sensitivity to impurities and can be used for diagnostic purposes and real-time simulations of various biological processes.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateDec 3, 2020
Fiber optic sensors have been upgraded with an advanced encoding and decoding system, allowing for faster and more accurate data transmission over wider areas. This technology, developed by EPFL engineers, enables real-time monitoring of hazards such as pipeline cracks and civil engineering deformations.
SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2020
Researchers developed a stretchable dual-core optical fiber sensor system that can distinguish and measure complex mechanical movement using only a single sensor. The system, called SLIMS, successfully detected various finger movements and presses in real-time when integrated into a stretchable glove.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 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.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a stretchable 'skin' sensor that detects deformations and allows soft robotic systems to feel pressure, bending, and strain. This technology has the potential to revolutionize physical therapy and sports medicine by enabling machines to measure force interactions.
Researchers are using a new technology to monitor the movement of thawing Arctic permafrost. A 1.5-kilometer fiber-optic cable will be turned into a long line of vibration sensors to collect seismic data and predict future behavior of the thawing permafrost.
Researchers from Hokkaido University and the US used computer simulations to show that high pressure can reduce light scattering in silica glass fibers by over 50%. This could enable longer distance data transmission without amplification, revolutionizing global communication.
SourceHokkaido University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateOct 19, 2020
A research team from Russia and Japan explored jet formation in an optical fiber immersed in liquid, revealing the reasons behind this phenomenon. The study found that the jet velocity depends on the relationship between the vapor bubble size and fiber radius, with potential applications for laser surgical techniques.
SourceTohoku University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·DateOct 12, 2020
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Scientists at the University of Jena have developed a novel material platform by integrating 2D materials with glass fibers, enabling novel applications in sensors and non-linear optics. The breakthrough allows for the direct growth of 2D materials on optical fibers, overcoming laborious transfer processes.
SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 7, 2020
Researchers have optimized Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) to achieve lower energy consumption while maintaining high data transmission rates. The study demonstrates that doubling the number of devices can reduce total energy consumption by 50% without compromising device lifetime or reducing current density.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 24, 2020
A team of scientists has developed a free-space optical transmission system that relies on an optical amplifier without excess noise, achieving unprecedented error-free sensitivity of one photon-per-information-bit at 10.5 Gbit/s. The system operates at room temperature and is scalable to higher data rates.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateSep 21, 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.
A new microendoscope combining photoacoustic and fluorescent imaging has been developed, enabling the measurement of blood dynamics and neuronal activity simultaneously. This innovation could advance our understanding of the brain's structure and behavior in specific conditions.
SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 21, 2020
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber that produces significantly less noise compared to traditional single-mode fibers. This breakthrough enables promising platforms for low-noise applications, including quantum information processing and optical communications.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAPL Photonics·DateSep 18, 2020
Researchers at MTU and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new mechanism to improve optical signal processing, enabling the fabrication of smaller devices. The study reveals an unexpected phenomenon called optical nonreciprocity, which enhances magneto-optic response in iron garnet films.
SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalOptica·DateSep 16, 2020
A new material has been found to enable ultra-fast toggle switching, which could increase the capacity of fibre optic cable networks by an order of magnitude. This breakthrough overcomes three major obstacles to further progress with the internet: speed, energy consumption, and network capacity.
SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 15, 2020
A novel process for fabricating special optical fiber has been developed by Brazilian researcher Cristiano Cordeiro, simplifying the conventional method that requires costly equipment. The new process can be completed in under an hour and is significantly cheaper, enabling more researchers to produce their own optical fiber.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 10, 2020
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
A new, tiny fiber optic force sensor has been developed by researchers, enabling precise measurements of small forces and opening up potential applications in medical systems and manufacturing. The sensor, made of silica glass, measures forces with a resolution better than a micronewton and has a broad measuring range.