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Team of researchers determines absolute duration of photoelectric effect for the first time

A team of researchers at Technical University of Munich has developed a new method to measure the time between X-ray photon absorption and electron emission. The study reveals that photoelectrons can be generated in around 40 attoseconds, which is twice as fast as expected. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in photocathodes ...

'Optical rocket' created with intense laser light

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have successfully accelerated plasma electrons almost instantly to speeds close to the speed of light using intense laser light pulses. The new application, dubbed an 'optical rocket,' boasts a force nearly trillion-trillion times greater than what astronauts experience in space.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 14, 2018

Experiment obtains entanglement of six light waves with a single laser

Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Physics Institute have successfully entangled six light waves using an optical parametric oscillator. This achievement could lead to faster processing speeds and improve the feasibility of quantum computing by enabling the creation of systems with multiple entangled components.

Tilted pulses

Researchers from Konstanz and Munich have successfully directed and controlled ultrashort electron pulses using laser light cycles, enabling precise material studies in the femtosecond and attosecond range. This achievement has significant implications for ultrafast materials research and the production of intense X-ray flashes.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 4, 2018

Better genome editing

UCSB researchers have developed a highly efficient genome editing method that offers complete spatiotemporal control, allowing users to target specific cells or regions within the cell. This approach enables precise and transient gene editing with minimal long-term effects on DNA.

Low bandwidth? Use more colors at once

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a method to produce multiple colors simultaneously on an electronic chip, enabling broader bandwidth for sensing and processing information. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in nanophotonics, bio-sensing, and imaging applications.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 16, 2018

The cure for chaotic lasers? More chaos, of course

A Yale-led research team has developed a new approach to stabilize high-power lasers by introducing chaotic cavities, reducing laser instabilities and promoting stable beam profiles. The innovative method is scalable to increasing power levels and can be applied to various types of high-power lasers.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateAug 16, 2018

Novel optics for ultrafast cameras create new possibilities for imaging

MIT researchers developed novel optics that capture images based on the timing of reflecting light inside the optics. This allows for new capabilities in time- or depth-sensitive cameras, such as capturing a trillion-frame-per-second video. The new optics architecture includes semireflective parallel mirrors that reduce focal length by...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 13, 2018

Vibrations at an exceptional point

A team of international researchers has developed a lasing system that produces phonons, the energy products of oscillation, or vibration. By tuning the system to create resonance, they can trigger mechanical movement that generates an acoustic wave. This breakthrough could lead to new medical and materials science applications.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 25, 2018

NIST unblinded me with science: New application of blue light sees through fire

Researchers at NIST demonstrate a new method for visualizing objects engulfed by large gas fires using ordinary blue light. This technique improves the accuracy of material testing by reducing image distortion and enhancing signal clarity. The study has potential applications in fire-resistance standards testing and could lead to more ...

A step closer to quantum computers: NUS researchers show how to directly observe quantum spin effects

Scientists at NUS have discovered a practical way to observe and examine the quantum effects of electrons in topological insulators and heavy metals. This breakthrough enables the development of advanced quantum computing components and devices, potentially answering some of the world's toughest questions in finance and physics.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 16, 2018

Correcting the eyesight of microscopes

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science discovered that asymmetric apertures can cause astigmatism in microscopes, leading to degraded image resolution. By correcting for this effect, they improved the technique of line-temporal focusing microscopy, achieving unprecedented resolution in biological structures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 28, 2018

Scientists create continuously emitting microlasers with nanoparticle-coated beads

Researchers have found a way to convert nanoparticle-coated microscopic beads into lasers smaller than red blood cells. These microlasers can constantly and stably emit light for hours at a time, even when submerged in biological fluids. The innovation opens up the possibility for imaging or controlling biological activity with infrare...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 18, 2018

New laser makes silicon 'sing'

Researchers at Yale University have created a new type of silicon laser that uses sound waves to amplify light, enabling faster and more efficient data processing. The innovative design maximizes light amplification using a special structure developed in the Rakich lab.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateJun 7, 2018

A laser that smells like a hound

University of Adelaide researchers have developed a laser that can measure gas composition in under one second with high accuracy and precision. The device uses patterns of light absorption to differentiate between different gas compounds, mimicking the sensitive nose of a bloodhound.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateJun 6, 2018

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

Switching with molecules

Researchers have developed molecular nanoswitches that can switch between two states using an applied voltage, enabling the development of novel electro-optical devices. This breakthrough could replace silicon-based components with organic molecules, reducing component sizes in electronics.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 24, 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

Shedding light on a cyclic molecule with a twist

Researchers at Kobe University have discovered a Möbius aromatic molecule that exhibits strong antiaromatic properties when exposed to light. The twist in the molecule's structure allows for high energy levels and magnetism, which could be utilized in eco-friendly organic devices such as solar cells and electroluminescent elements.

SourceKobe University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 14, 2018