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Entangling photons of different colors

Researchers created quantum-correlated pairs made up of one visible and one near-infrared photon, combining the best of both worlds. This breakthrough promises to boost light-based circuits' ability to securely transmit information over long distances.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 25, 2019

'Quiet' light

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have successfully created a chip-scale laser that emits light with a fundamental linewidth of less than 1 Hz, quiet enough to move demanding scientific applications to the chip scale. This breakthrough uses stimulated Brillouin scattering to produce extremely quiet light and has significant implications ...

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 1, 2019

Fiber sensors may leave the jacket on

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have successfully mapped liquids outside coated optical fibers, enabling sensing applications beyond the lab. The use of a polyimide coating overcomes the protective barrier previously hindering sensor performance.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 28, 2019

An important step towards completely secure quantum communication networks

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new technique to improve the storage time of quantum states in optical fibers, enabling secure quantum information transmission over longer distances. This breakthrough enables the creation of a completely secure quantum communication network by teleporting quantum informatio...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 29, 2018
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.

Millimeter waves for the last mile

The new modulator enables efficient and low-cost high-frequency microwaves transmission, covering the last mile with high data rates, and is compatible with 5G technology and future industry standards.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 21, 2018

New air-filled fiber bundle could make endoscopes smaller

Researchers have created a new air-filled optical fiber bundle that can improve endoscopes used in medical procedures like minimally invasive surgeries. The technology allows for higher resolution images at double the wavelength range, enabling diagnostic procedures not possible with current endoscope technology.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 24, 2018

New technology to allow 100-times-faster internet

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new nanophotonic device that can encode and process data using twisted light beams, increasing bandwidth by up to 100 times. This technology has the potential to revolutionize optical communications and quantum computing research.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Optoelectronic interface for stimulating neural networks in the brain

Researchers have developed an optoelectronic interface that uses fiber-optic channels to transmit signals from artificial neurons to live ones, providing galvanic isolation and adaptive stimulation capabilities. This system has been demonstrated effective in stimulating electrophysiological activity of neurons in a surviving section of...

SourceLobachevsky University·DateOct 22, 2018

Fiber optic sensor measures tiny magnetic fields

Researchers developed a light-based technique for measuring weak magnetic fields, like those from the brain. The sensors can detect the brain's magnetic field and have the potential to replace MRI machines, offering an alternative for real-time brain activity mapping.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 19, 2018

Compact fiber laser may enable wearable tech and better endoscopes

Researchers developed a smart, flexible photoacoustic imaging technique using a compact fiber laser that may have potential applications in wearable devices, instrumentation, and medical diagnostics. The new technique provides better sensitivity than existing piezoelectric transducers for medical imaging.

SourceOptica·DateSep 17, 2018
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Machine learning technique reconstructs images passing through a multimode fiber

Researchers use deep neural networks to recognize images transmitted over optical fibers, achieving high accuracy despite distortions caused by environmental factors. The technique has potential for improving endoscopic imaging in medical diagnosis and increasing the information-carrying capacity of fiber-optic telecommunication networks.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateAug 9, 2018

Optical fibers that can 'feel' the materials around them

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method to identify the material surrounding an optical fiber by generating a sound wave within the fiber. This technique allows for non-invasive detection of changes in temperature and pressure, with potential applications in structures such as bridges and gas pipelines.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 31, 2018

Study suggests buried Internet infrastructure at risk as sea levels rise

A new study suggests that thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable in densely populated coastal regions may be inundated by rising seas within 15 years. The study found that over 4,000 miles of conduit will be underwater and 1,100 traffic hubs will be surrounded by water by 2033, potentially disrupting global communications.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·DateJul 16, 2018

A bright and vibrant future for seismology

Researchers at GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences have developed a new method using fiber-optic cables to detect earthquakes and other ground movements. The technique reveals structural features in the underground with unprecedented resolution, outperforming existing seismological networks worldwide.

SourceGFZ GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Helmholtz Centre·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 3, 2018
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Undersea fiber optics: A new way to detect quakes

Researchers have developed a new approach to detect quakes by measuring optical phase changes in oceanic fiber optic cables triggered by seismic waves. This method can effectively detect quake activity and parameters, even in regions where seismic monitoring has been limited.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJun 14, 2018

Multiple lasers could be replaced by a single microcomb

A team of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and Purdue University has developed a microcomb that can replace dozens of high-performance lasers, enabling faster and more power-efficient optical communication links. The technology uses a tiny optical cavity to generate sharp frequency lines, which have unique properties th...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 12, 2018

Researchers mimic comet moth's silk fibers to make 'air-conditioned' fabric

Columbia University researchers develop a method to spin artificial fibers that mimic the nanostructures and optical properties of comet moth cocoon fibers, achieving exceptional cooling abilities and reflectivity. The new fibers can block sunlight and guide light signals with high efficiency.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateMay 17, 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.

Ultrathin endoscope captures neurons firing deep in the brain

Scientists have created an ultra-thin fiber-based endoscope that can image neurons firing in living mice, offering new insights into brain function. The device is five times thinner than the smallest commercially available microendoscopes and allows for deeper brain imaging without damaging tissue.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateMar 26, 2018

Researchers create microlaser that flies along hollow optical fiber

A particle-based laser was created to measure temperature changes along the length of an optical fiber, offering highly localized light delivery to remote locations. The flying microlaser can detect temperature changes of under 3 degrees Celsius with spatial resolution of a few millimeters.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMar 20, 2018
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.

Researchers create fiber optic sensors that dissolve in the body

The new bioresorbable optical fiber Bragg gratings can be used to sense pressure at joints or act as tiny probes that can safely reach and assess the heart and other delicate organs. The sensors could also improve laser-based tumor removal techniques by delivering accurate real-time temperature sensing.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateFeb 5, 2018

Ultrasound imaging needle to transform heart surgery

Researchers have developed an optical ultrasound needle that provides unprecedented real-time imaging of soft tissues during keyhole procedures, reducing the risk of complications and improving surgical outcomes. The technology uses a miniature optical fibre to deliver light pulses, generating ultrasonic waves for image guidance.

SourceUniversity College London·DateDec 1, 2017
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Secure information transmission over 500m fiber links based on quantum technologies

Researchers at Tsinghua University and Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications have successfully demonstrated entanglement-based quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) over 500m optical fibers. The system uses novel fiber-based quantum light sources to generate polarization entangled Bell states, enabling secure informat...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateNov 30, 2017

Illuminated pajamas treat newborns

Researchers developed illuminated pajamas that emit therapeutic blue light directly onto a baby's skin, improving the treatment experience and reducing discomfort. The photonic textiles, woven into satin fabric, are breathable, comfortable, and suitable for everyday wear.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 31, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

The world-record 53.3 Tb/s optical switching capacity for data-center networks

NICT achieved a world record for 53.3 Tb/s optical switching capacity in short-reach data-center networks using SDM and a high-speed spatial optical switch system. This breakthrough enables significant network efficiency improvements and reduced end-to-end energy consumption per bit compared to existing technologies.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·DateOct 6, 2017

Clamping down on causality by probing laser cavities

A collaboration between University of Central Florida and Yale has discovered novel optical behaviors in laser cavities, providing a unique window into fundamental physics. The research demonstrates the role of gain clamping in governing optical responses and reveals fundamental aspects of causality's limits.

SourceOptica·DateAug 29, 2017

Army researcher's paper named 'Editor's Pick' in journal Optics Letters

The study describes a method for measuring potential energy surfaces of atoms near optical nanofibers, facilitating quantum memories and components. It enables controlled interactions between lasers and atoms or materials, crucial for unconditionally secure communications and quantum computing.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 17, 2017
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.

Research into ultrafast laser technology could increase network speeds tenfold

A research team at the University of New Mexico is developing ultrafast laser transmitter technology that could send data at a speed of over 100 gigabits per second, ten times faster than current fiber optic networks. The goal is to enable high-speed communication in applications such as remote medical consultations and IoT connectivity.

SourceUniversity of New Mexico·DateAug 4, 2017

Broadband light sources with liquid core

Researchers from Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology in Jena generate broadband light spectrum with solitons in the near-infrared range, exhibiting unique nonlinear optical effects and high transmission. The use of liquid core fibers enables a more stable alternative to traditional broadband light sources.

SourceLeibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2017

New 3-D display takes the eye fatigue out of virtual reality

A new type of 3D display, mimicking the depth cues our eyes are accustomed to in the real-world, improves viewing comfort in VR headsets and AR glasses. The innovative display module, measuring only 1 x 2 inches, produces depth cues that create a unified 3D image, eliminating vergence-accommodation conflict.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 21, 2017
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.

Nano fiber feels forces and hears sounds made by cells

Engineers at UC San Diego developed a nano-sized optical fiber that can detect forces down to 160 femtonewtons and hear sounds down to -30 decibels, with applications in detecting bacteria, monitoring cellular behavior, and creating mini stethoscopes.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 15, 2017

Scientists print nanoscale imaging probe onto tip of optical fiber

Researchers developed a high-throughput fabrication technique to print nanoscale imaging probes onto the tip of glass fibers, accelerating production from months to days. This enables the widespread adoption of nano-optical structures with potential applications in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 10, 2017
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.

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.

Light beam replaces blood test during heart surgery

Researchers have developed a new technology using light to continuously monitor a surgical patient's blood, providing real-time status during life-and-death operations. This technology has the potential to replace the need for doctors to wait while blood is drawn and tested, potentially saving lives in intensive care settings.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateFeb 27, 2017

Impossible (but working!) recipe for ultrashort laser pulses

Researchers from Warsaw Laser Centre generate high-energy ultrashort laser pulses in an optical fiber using a novel solution. The new method is stable and ideal for industrial applications, offering improved processing times.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalOptics Letters·DateFeb 23, 2017

Tiny fibers open new windows into the brain

Researchers have developed a single flexible fiber that can deliver optical, electrical, and chemical signals to the brain, enabling precise recordings of neuronal activity. This breakthrough could provide a significantly more accurate understanding of brain function and interconnections.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 22, 2017
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.

Research opens door to smaller, cheaper, more agile communications tech

The team's breakthrough enables an innovative approach to data processing and switching using magnetized liquid crystals and steerable light beams. This technology could lead to tiny components that process huge amounts of data, as well as compact and fast optical switches, routers and modulators.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2017

ORNL researchers break data transfer efficiency record

Researchers at ORNL have set a new record in superdense coding, transferring 1.67 bits per qubit over fiber optic cable. This achievement brings the technique one step closer to practical use and could lead to more efficient data transfer methods for applications like the Internet and cybersecurity.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 1, 2017