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Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered that light can be programmed using its natural geometry, allowing for the creation of structured light with unique properties. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for fields such as medicine, data transmission, and quantum technologies.

Light-powered propulsion expands space exploration possibilities

Researchers at Texas A&M University have demonstrated a new approach to light-driven motion, showing that lasers can be used to lift and steer objects in multiple directions without physical contact. The breakthrough enables travel to Alpha Centauri within roughly 20 years.

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.

Quantum entanglement on attosecond timescales

The study measures ultrafast electron dynamics in hydrogen molecules, observing oscillations in hole localization that depend on the delay between attosecond pulses. Entanglement occurs at the expense of electronic coherence in the remaining ion.

Building desktop particle accelerators to unlock new realms of research

The University of Osaka's researchers have achieved a key milestone in creating tabletop x-ray lasers by demonstrating free-electron laser amplification at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths. They used laser wakefield acceleration to generate high-quality, monoenergetic electron beams, enabling precise control of the plasma source.

New ‘vacuum ultraviolet’ laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks

Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have demonstrated a new kind of vacuum ultraviolet laser that is 100 to 1,000 times more efficient than existing technologies. The device could enable scientists to observe phenomena currently out of reach, such as following fuel molecules in real time as they undergo combustion, spottin...

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.

Quantum uncertainty tamed at the University of Arizona

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.

New light-powered motor fits inside a strand of hair

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.

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.

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.

Ultra-thin lenses that make infrared light visible

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method for fabricating ultra-thin metalenses using lithium niobate nanostructures. These devices can convert infrared light to visible radiation, enabling new applications in security, microscopy, and electronics.

One glass, full color: sub-millimeter waveguide shrinks AR glasses

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) have developed an achromatic metagrating that handles all colors in a single glass layer, eliminating the need for multiple layers. This breakthrough enables vivid full-color images using a 500-µm-thick single-layer waveguide.

Light-based data made clearer with new machine learning method

Researchers at Rice University developed a new machine learning algorithm that excels in interpreting light signatures of molecules, materials and disease biomarkers. The tool can detect subtle signals in optical spectroscopy, enabling faster medical diagnoses and sample analysis.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Tying light from lasers into stable “optical knots”

Engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a method to create stable optical knots using laser beams, which could be used to transmit encoded information or measure turbulence in pockets of air. The team found that by adding more squiggles to the knot's features, they could make it stable for longer and resist degradation.

A compact, mid-infrared pulse generator

Physicists at Harvard SEAS have created a compact, on-chip mid-infrared pulse generator that can emit short bursts of light without external components. This device has the potential to speed up gas sensor development and create new medical imaging tools.

Breakthrough in deep ultraviolet laser technology

Researchers developed a compact, solid-state laser system that generates 193-nm coherent light, marking the first 193-nm vortex beam produced from a solid-state laser. This innovation enhances semiconductor lithography efficiency and opens new avenues for advanced manufacturing techniques.

Matter at the crossroads

Researchers at Weizmann Institute create innovative method to track rapid material changes using two laser beams, enabling precise reconstruction of optical delay changes. This advance could lead to the development of fastest processors possible, increasing data transmission speed.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Decoding nanomaterial phase transitions with tiny drums

Researchers from TU Delft studied FePS₃ nanomaterial, discovering how vibrations change near its phase transition temperature and affecting magnetic properties. The findings pave the way for ultra-sensitive sensors with exceptional sensitivity to internal and external forces.

Watching electron motion in solids

A German-Italian team has discovered a way to simplify the experimental implementation of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, allowing for real-time study of electron motion in solids. By adding an optical component to Cerullo's interferometer, researchers were able to control laser pulses more precisely, enabling the investigatio...

Holograms boost 3D printing efficiency and resolution

Researchers have developed a holographic method for volumetric additive manufacturing that significantly reduces energy required and boosts resolution. The technique involves projecting three-dimensional holograms onto spinning resin vials, resulting in high-fidelity 3D-printed objects with exceptional accuracy.

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.

Breakthrough in opto-magnetic technology: 5-fold increase in torque efficiency

Researchers at Tohoku University have achieved a significant advancement in opto-magnetic technology, observing an opto-magnetic torque approximately five times more efficient than in conventional magnets. This breakthrough enables the production of opto-magnetic effects with only one-fifth of the previous light intensity.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Noninvasive imaging method can penetrate deeper into living tissue

A new noninvasive imaging method developed by MIT researchers can penetrate deeper into living tissue than previous techniques, producing richer and more detailed images. This breakthrough enhances biological research capabilities, enabling scientists to study immune responses and develop new medicines with greater accuracy.

Wits researchers use laser beams to pioneer new quantum computing breakthrough

Physicists at the University of the Witwatersrand developed an innovative computing system harnessing laser beams and display technology to process multiple possibilities simultaneously. This approach could speed up complex calculations in fields like logistics and finance, with potential applications in quantum optimisation and machin...

uOttawa physicists make laser cast a shadow

Researchers at the University of Ottawa have demonstrated a new phenomenon where a laser beam casts a visible shadow, similar to traditional shadows. The study's findings suggest that under certain conditions, light can block other light, creating this effect.

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.

Scientists discover laser light can cast a shadow

Researchers have found that under certain conditions, a laser beam can act like an opaque object and cast a shadow. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of shadows and opens new possibilities for technologies controlling light.

Faster space communication with record-sensitive receiver

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a system that uses a silent amplifier and record-sensitive receiver to pave the way for faster and improved space communication. The system opens up new communication opportunities in space, allowing for error-free data transmission over long distances.

A new spectroscopy reveals water’s quantum secrets

EPFL researchers have developed correlated vibrational spectroscopy (CVS) to measure the behavior of water molecules participating in hydrogen bonds. The method allows for direct measurement of electronic charge sharing and H-bond strength, enabling precise characterization of molecular-level details in various materials.

Solving computationally hard problems with 3D integrated photonics

Researchers have developed a reconfigurable three-dimensional integrated photonic processor specifically designed to tackle the subset sum problem, a classic NP-complete challenge. The processor operates by allowing photons in a light beam to explore all possible paths simultaneously, providing answers in parallel and demonstrating hig...

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.

Record-breaking laser pulses

Researchers at ETH Zurich have set a new record for the strongest laser pulses, surpassing previous records by over 50%, using a special arrangement of mirrors and a semiconductor mirror. The pulses can be used to create high harmonic frequencies up to X-rays, enabling fast processes in the attosecond range.

Cooling positronium with lasers

Positronium, an exotic atom composed of an electron and a positron, has been cooled to just 1 degree above absolute zero. This achievement could aid in studying the properties of antimatter and potentially unlock secrets of the universe.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Unique nanodisk pushing photonic research forward

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully combined nonlinear and high-index nanophotonics in a single nanoobject, creating a disk-like structure with unique optical properties. The discovery has great potential for developing efficient and compact nonlinear optical devices.

Researchers create an “imprint” on a super photon

Researchers at the University of Bonn have successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate on a super photon using tiny nano molds. This allows for the shaping of light into a simple lattice structure, which could be used to make information exchange between multiple participants tap-proof.

Metal foil as 3D scanner for electron beam

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a novel method to measure the structure of microbunched plasma-wakefield-accelerated electron beams using metal foil. This technique enables precise control over the electron bunches, leading to brighter and more stable light in free-electron lasers.

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.

Physicists shine new light on ultra-fast atomic processes

Researchers at Ohio State University have made the first direct observation of incredibly small time delays in a molecule's electron activity when exposed to X-rays. This breakthrough reveals complex interactions between electrons and other particles, shedding light on intricate molecular dynamics.

Tracking the color of light

Researchers developed a new spectroscopy method using tunable lasers, enabling precise tracking of the laser's color at every point in time. The technique offers higher power and spectral stability compared to existing methods, making it suitable for various applications including LIDAR and spectroscopy.

Engineers bring efficient optical neural networks into focus

EPFL researchers have created an energy-efficient method for nonlinear computations using scattered light from low-power lasers. The new approach is scalable and up to 1,000 times more power-efficient than state-of-the-art digital networks, making it suitable for realizing optical neural networks.

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.

A time crystal made of giant atoms

Scientists at Tsinghua University and TU Wien have created a time crystal made of giant Rydberg atoms, exhibiting spontaneous symmetry breaking and oscillating light absorption. This breakthrough deepens our understanding of the time crystal phenomenon, offering potential applications in sensors.

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.

Controlling magnetism with polarized light

Researchers from the Max Born Institute have developed a method to manipulate magnetism using circularly polarized XUV radiation, generating large magnetization changes without thermal effects. The study demonstrates an effective non-thermal approach to controlling magnetism on ultrafast time scales.