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Terahertz technology escapes the cold

Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated a terahertz quantum cascade laser that operates without cryogenic cooling, reaching temperatures of up to 210 K. This breakthrough removes the main obstacles to widespread use in various applications, including non-invasive imaging and quality control.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 10, 2019
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.

Astronomers help wage war on cancer

Researchers are using computer models developed by astronomers to create a rapid diagnostic test that can detect cancerous tissue without unnecessary biopsies. The technology has also shown promise in treating non-melanoma skin cancer, with simulations indicating that it could be effective in killing cancer cells.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society·DateJul 2, 2019
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.

Experimental physicists redefine ultrafast, coherent magnetism

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have manipulated ferromagnetic material properties on an electrical field oscillation scale, preserving quantum mechanical wave nature. This breakthrough accelerates technological miniaturization and opens new perspectives for applications in magnetism and electron spin.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 26, 2019

Laser light detects tumors

Researchers from Jena have developed a device using laser light to detect tumors, providing real-time information for surgeons. This compact microscope combines three imaging techniques and uses artificial intelligence to analyze tissue samples, promising faster and more reliable results than traditional frozen section diagnostics.

SourceLeibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology·JournalHead & Neck·DateJun 25, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers see around corners to detect object shapes

Computer vision researchers demonstrate a new technique that enables them to reconstruct the shapes of unseen objects with great detail, including George Washington's profile on a U.S. quarter. The technique uses special light sources and sensors to see around corners or through gauzy filters.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateJun 19, 2019

A new force for optical tweezers awakens

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a new type of force that minimizes light usage in optical tweezers, reducing photo damage to cells. This breakthrough enables more realistic experiments with longer cell lifespans.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 18, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Laser trick produces high-energy terahertz pulses

Researchers at DESY and the University of Hamburg achieved an important milestone in compact particle accelerator development. They produced high-energy terahertz pulses using ultra-powerful laser pulses, paving the way for new applications in fields like particle physics and nanomaterials research.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 13, 2019

Powerful lasers for fragile works of art

Professor Patrizio Antici's In-Air PIL technique analyzes chemical composition and crystal characteristics of artworks, reducing complexity and costs. The method has potential applications in cultural heritage conservation and material science.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 10, 2019

Multicolored light twists in new knotted ways

Researchers at ICFO have discovered a new type of optical singularity with the topology of a knot, which is topologically protected and robust against perturbations. This discovery expands light's degree of freedom and opens up new possibilities for applications in communication, microscopy, lithography, and spectroscopy.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 10, 2019
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.

NIST infrared frequency comb measures biological signatures

Researchers at NIST have created a compact apparatus that rapidly measures the entire infrared band of light to detect biological, chemical, and physical properties of matter. The system successfully detects signature vibrations of amide bands in a monoclonal antibody reference material, providing insights into protein structure.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 7, 2019

Probing semiconductor crystals with a sphere of light

Tohoku University researchers have developed a technique that improves on current photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques, allowing for the measurement of larger semiconducting crystals. The new approach uses a hollow sphere to minimize photon loss and test internal quantum efficiency, a key property of semiconductors.

SourceTohoku University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateJun 6, 2019

As hot as the sun's interior

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have successfully created plasma using nanowires and long-wavelength ultrashort pulse lasers. The new method achieves higher temperatures than previously thought possible in a laboratory setting, opening up new avenues for studying plasma and its properties.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJun 5, 2019

Accurate probing of magnetism with light

A team of researchers has developed a new experimental and theoretical framework to interpret spectroscopic signals from magnetic materials when probed with extreme ultraviolet radiation. This allows for the disentanglement of signals from different elements in the material, enabling the study of complex dynamic processes.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 3, 2019

Organic laser diodes move from dream to reality

Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully demonstrated the lasing by direct electrical stimulation of an organic film, overcoming previous performance limitations with improved materials and device structures. The breakthrough enables applications such as biosensing, displays, healthcare, and optical communications.

SourceKyushu University·JournalApplied Physics Express·DateMay 31, 2019
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.

LED device could increase memory retention among astronauts

Researchers are developing a light-based technology to increase energy available to brain cells and improve astronaut performance. The new LED device aims to replace lasers as the delivery method for near-infrared light to stimulate mitochondria and create more oxygen in the brain.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateMay 29, 2019

Scientists offer designer 'big atoms' on demand

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have successfully created colloidal particles that mimic atomic behavior, allowing for controlled interactions and assembly. By exposing these particles to different light sources, they can switch between attractive and repulsive forces.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateMay 29, 2019

A light matter: Understanding the Raman dance of solids

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology investigated photogenerated coherent phonons in GaAs using ultrafast dual pump-probe laser for quantum interferometry. They found that impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) dominates phonon generation, with ISRS causing zapping of vibrations in the solid lattice.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMay 22, 2019
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.

Thinking outside the box: 'Seeing' clearer and deeper into live organs

Researchers developed a new contrast agent using ytterbium to overcome concentration quenching, allowing for improved optical imaging resolution beyond CT and PET technology. The breakthrough enables clearer visualization of whole mice, opening up potential applications in bio-imaging.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 20, 2019

JQI researchers shed new light on atomic 'wave function'

Scientists have developed a technique to directly observe an isolated quantum system, such as a gas of atoms, with unprecedented spatial resolution. This allows them to obtain details on a scale of tens of nanometers, enabling the calculation of wave function information and its effects.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 16, 2019

Energy-free superfast computing invented by scientists using light pulses

Researchers at Lancaster University developed a method to record computer data using magnets and light pulses, reducing energy consumption. The new approach uses ultrashort pulses of light concentrated by special antennas on top of a magnet to switch the orientation of tiny magnets in magnetic hard-drives.

SourceLancaster University·JournalNature·DateMay 15, 2019

Excitonic radiative decay faster than thermal dephasing in ZnO thin films

Researchers at Osaka University have discovered that zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films exhibit the fastest excitonic radiative decay rate ever recorded, surpassing thermal dephasing rates. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-fast and energy-efficient photonic devices with non-thermogenic properties.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2019
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.

Optical security: Tunable-resonator upconverted emission color printing

Scientists from SUTD have developed a plasmonic upconversion optical security device that displays an ultrahigh resolution color print under white light, while revealing different luminescent information under infrared illumination. The device uses monolayers of upconversion nanophosphors to achieve true color printing.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 12, 2019

Researchers take a step towards light-based, brain-like computing chip

A team of researchers from the Universities of Münster, Oxford, and Exeter have developed a light-based hardware that mimics the behavior of neurons and synapses in the brain. The chip can process data much faster than traditional computers, enabling applications such as medical diagnoses and cancer cell identification.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature·DateMay 8, 2019

Quantum sensor for photons

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a quantum sensor that measures visible light particles without destroying them. The innovation, led by Tracy Northup, allows for tailored light fields to be generated through feedback loops, paving the way for future quantum applications.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2019

Sculpting super-fast light pulses

Scientists create ultrathin device with silicon nanopillars to shape ultrafast light pulses, enabling controlled compression, splitting, and distortion. This technique has potential for high-speed communication and studying ultrafast phenomena.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateMay 2, 2019

The first laser radio transmitter

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have successfully transmitted data wirelessly using a semiconductor laser for the first time. The breakthrough enables the creation of ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi, paving the way for faster wireless communication.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 25, 2019
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.

A hole in one for holographic display

Researchers at KAIST have designed an ultrathin display that can project dynamic, multi-colored 3D holographic images using tiny pinholes in a thin film. The system is small and scalable, paving the way for widespread applications of 3D holographic displays.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 18, 2019

RIT researcher collaborates with UR to develop new form of laser for sound

A team of researchers at RIT has developed a phonon laser for sound using the optical tweezer technique, which could lead to breakthroughs in sensing and information processing. The device uses an optically levitated nanoparticle to create a laser-like situation, enabling the investigation of fundamental quantum physics.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 16, 2019

NRL develops laser processing method to increase efficiency of optoelectronic devices

Scientists at NRL discovered a new method to passivate defects in next generation optical materials, improving optical quality and enabling miniaturization of light emitting diodes. The technique produces a 100-fold increase in material's optical emission efficiency, paving the way for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 15, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

SLAC's high-speed 'electron camera' films molecular movie in HD

Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have made the first high-definition 'movie' of ring-shaped molecules breaking open in response to light. The results provide high-resolution details of the reaction, showing how bonds break and atoms jiggle around for extended periods of time.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 15, 2019

Detecting pollution with a compact laser source

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new compact laser source that can detect greenhouse gases and molecules in a person's breath. The system uses a fiber laser combined with a micrometer waveguide chip to generate light waves in the mid-infrared spectrum, retaining 30% of the original signal strength.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2019

Spin lasers facilitate rapid data transfer

Researchers have developed a novel concept for rapid data transfer using spin lasers, which can work at least five times faster than traditional systems and consume significantly less energy. The technology has the potential to revolutionize data transmission, but further optimization is needed.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNature·DateApr 4, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

HZB contributions to special edition on ultrafast dynamics with X-ray methods

The Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) has contributed to the special edition on ultrafast dynamics with X-ray methods, focusing on photochemistry and material science. Femtoslicing and BESSY VSR methods have been classified, providing a comprehensive overview of current advances in generating ultra-short X-ray pulses.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London·DateApr 4, 2019

Amplifier for terahertz lattice vibrations in a semiconductor crystal

Scientists demonstrate amplification of optical phonons in a metal-semiconductor nanostructure using THz pulses, showing potential for ultrasound imaging with sub-nanometer resolution. The amplification process relies on population inversion and stimulated emission of phonons.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 3, 2019

Laser technology helps researchers scrutinize cancer cells

Researchers use laser technology to improve on existing methods for measuring metabolic activity in cancer cells. The new technique, single-cell metabolic photoacoustic microscopy, allows for the analysis of around 3,000 cells in about 15 minutes, enabling more accurate assessments of cancer cell characteristics.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 1, 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.

Quantum optical cooling of nanoparticles

Physicians at the University of Vienna have developed a novel method to cool nanoparticles using quantum optics, enabling unprecedented control over particle motion in ultra-high vacuum. The approach, inspired by atomic physics, harnesses scattered light from an optical tweezer to effectively cool particles' kinetic energy.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 29, 2019

Levitating objects with light

Researchers at Caltech have designed a way to levitate and propel macroscopic objects using specific nanoscale patterning on their surfaces. This technology has the potential to revolutionize space travel by powering spacecraft with light, potentially reaching nearby planets in 20 years.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 19, 2019

On-chip, electronically tunable frequency comb

Researchers from Harvard and Stanford have developed an integrated, on-chip frequency comb that is efficient, stable and highly controllable with microwaves. This breakthrough enables the creation of compact light sources for optical communication in data centers, facilitating fast and accurate data exchange.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateMar 18, 2019
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.

Duplicate or mirror?

Scientists have discovered that the direction of laser light hitting a molecule determines its chiral form. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of molecules with uniform chirality for pharmaceuticals. The research was conducted using the planar formic acid molecule and the reaction microscope method.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 14, 2019

Light from an exotic crystal semiconductor could lead to better solar cells

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new way to control the light emitted by hybrid crystal semiconductors, which could lead to more efficient solar cells and other electronic devices. By adjusting voltage applied to an electrode, they can increase the intensity of light emitted up to 100 times.

SourceRutgers University·JournalMaterials Today·DateMar 6, 2019

New shapes of laser beam 'sneak' through opaque media

Researchers at Yale University have developed a technique to pre-treat laser beams, allowing them to penetrate opaque surfaces undisturbed. This breakthrough has potential applications for deep-tissue imaging and optogenetics, where light is used to probe and manipulate cells in living tissue.

SourceYale University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 4, 2019

The random anti-laser

Researchers have developed a method to build an anti-laser based on random scattering, which can absorb light of a specific color and dissipate energy. The new approach has been confirmed by experiments in cooperation with the University of Nice and opens up possibilities for various scientific and engineering applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·DateMar 4, 2019
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.

JILA researchers make coldest quantum gas of molecules

JILA researchers have made a long-lived, record-cold gas of molecules that follow the wave patterns of quantum mechanics. The creation of this gas boosts the odds for advances in fields such as designer chemistry and quantum computing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2019
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.

A glimpse into the future

Researchers at UCSB have developed a high-performance quantum dot mode-locked laser on silicon, which can increase data transmission capacity by an estimated decade. The technology has the potential to significantly improve data centers' and telecommunications companies' performance.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalOptica·DateFeb 13, 2019

Shedding light on the pathway to put the traumatic past behind

Scientists have identified a brain pathway that underlies an effective therapy for sustainably reducing traumatic memories. The study found that alternating bilateral sensory stimulation (ABS) induces a persistent fear reduction by activating the superior colliculus and mediodorsal thalamic nucleus pathways, which suppresses fear expre...

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2019

Hyperbolic metamaterials enable nanoscale 'fingerprinting'

Researchers use hyperbolic metamaterials to 'fingerprint' and obtain spatial and material information about nanometer-scale objects. The method resolves features down to 20 nanometers apart, potentially finding applications in biomolecular measurement and industrial product monitoring.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 12, 2019

Laser physics: Transformation through light

Researchers have taken snapshots of how C60 carbon molecules react to extremely short pulses of intense infrared light, transforming its shape from round to elongated. The findings may lead to new applications in ultrafast, light-controlled electronics.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 12, 2019