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Picking one photon out of the flow

Scientists at University of Southern Denmark create photonic quantum memory allowing manipulation of light on nonlinear level. They successfully demonstrate novel method to subtract a single photon from an optical beam, enabling future applications in quantum information science.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2018

Shrinking the synthesizer

A team of UC Santa Barbara scientists has developed a miniature, energy-efficient optical frequency synthesizer that can be integrated onto silicon photonic integrated circuits. The device can tune over 50 nanometers and deliver a frequency stability of 7 x 10-13 after one second of averaging, matching that of the input reference clock.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateMay 3, 2018

Ultrafast laser pulse created by golden nanoparticles

Scientists have successfully created a fast, tunable, and stable nanoparticle-array laser, enabling ultrafast lasing dynamics with short and rapidly appearing laser pulses. The study showcases promising potential for all-optical switching and sensing applications.

SourceAalto University·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 2, 2018
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 frequency combs may be the future of Wi-Fi

Researchers at Harvard have discovered a new phenomenon in quantum cascade laser frequency combs, enabling devices to act as integrated transmitters or receivers for efficient information encoding. This breakthrough has the potential to increase Wi-Fi capacity and pave the way for faster data transfer rates.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·DateApr 30, 2018

'Exceptional' research points way toward quantum discoveries

Researchers at Rice University have discovered exceptional points in a unique material, enabling continuous tuning of light and matter coupling. This breakthrough may lead to novel quantum technologies like advanced information storage and one-dimensional lasers.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 30, 2018

New technology for measuring brain blood flow with light

Researchers at UC Davis developed a new technique using conventional digital camera technology to measure brain blood flow. The method, called interferometric diffusing wave spectroscopy, boosts the signal to detect fluctuations in blood motion, providing valuable information about blood flow.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalOptica·DateApr 27, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Improving mid-infrared imaging and sensing

The new approach uses flat, artificial material composed of nanostructured optical elements to control and detect mid-IR waves, enabling cheaper, flatter, and more efficient detectors for night vision, biomedical sensing, and free-space communication. The devices can transmit up to 80% of mid-IR light with high efficiency and are made ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 26, 2018

NIST team shows tiny frequency combs are reliable measurement tools

Scientists at NIST and partners developed a miniaturized device that generates precise frequencies of light, tracing back to an international measurement standard. The breakthrough reduces the size of optical frequency synthesizers from tabletop instruments to three silicon chips.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateApr 25, 2018

Turning graphene into light nanosensors

Researchers embedded graphene in a photonic crystal to enhance its light-absorbing capabilities. By varying the external temperature, they can tune the material's optical characteristics, leading to potential applications in light sensors and ultra-fast lasers.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateApr 25, 2018

Attosecond physics: Molecules brilliantly illuminated

Researchers develop powerful femtosecond light source for mid-infrared spectroscopy, enabling detection of organic molecules at low concentrations. The system uses coherent light to reveal molecular fingerprints and diagnose diseases like cancer at early stages.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 23, 2018
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.

Graphene sets a new record on squeezing light to one atom

Researchers at ICFO have achieved the ultimate level of light confinement using graphene, creating ultra-small optical switches and sensors. By sending infra-red light through devices, they observed how plasmons propagated in between metal and graphene, demonstrating control of light guided in channels smaller than one nanometer.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalScience·DateApr 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.

This 2-D nanosheet expands like a Grow Monster

Researchers have discovered a new material science concept that uses light to expand a two-dimensional nanosheet at incredible speeds. The nanosheet can expand up to 5.7% of its original size in sub-milliseconds, making it potentially useful for artificial muscles and soft robotic systems.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 18, 2018

A new Bose-Einstein condensate created at Aalto University

Aalto University researchers have successfully created a new Bose-Einstein condensate that doesn't require cooling to near absolute zero. The condensate is made up of light and electrons in motion in gold nanorods, allowing for faster information processing and potentially enabling the creation of extremely small and fast light sources.

SourceAalto University·JournalNature Physics·DateApr 16, 2018

From insulator to conductor in a flash

Researchers have developed a method to rapidly transition strongly correlated materials from insulators to conductors using tailored laser pulses. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of next-generation electronics that are faster and more energy efficient.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 16, 2018

Quantum shift shows itself in coupled light and matter

Researchers detect Bloch-Siegert shift in strongly coupled light and matter, a phenomenon previously speculated but never observed. The discovery could lead to a greater understanding of theoretical predictions in quantum phase transitions and the development of robust quantum bits for advanced computing.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 16, 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.

Tiny structures -- huge impact

Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have successfully created tailored surface structures on curved carbon fibers using laser technology, enabling new applications in composite materials and optical devices. The method allows for precise control over the structure's size and shape, opening up possibilities for improving m...

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalCarbon·DateApr 13, 2018

One string to rule them all

Scientists have engineered an extremely low loss nanostring that vibrates for minutes with a period of a microsecond, allowing them to 'hear' the sound of photons in a laser beam. The researchers hope to use this technology to detect weak light forces and potentially cool mechanical objects to absolute zero.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateApr 12, 2018

Mini toolkit for measurements: New NIST chip hints at quantum sensors of the future

Researchers at NIST developed a miniature chip that uses laser light to measure quantities like length with quantum precision. The design packs the atom cloud and structures for guiding light waves into less than 1 square centimeter, achieving a hundredfold increase in measurement precision compared to other devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptica·DateApr 10, 2018
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.

Doing the nano-shimmy

Researchers at NIST created a plasmomechanical oscillator (PMO) that modulates light and amplifies extremely weak mechanical and electrical signals. The device, composed of a gold nanoparticle and a silicon nitride cantilever, can amplify faint signals with amplitudes as small as ten trillionths of a meter.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptica·DateApr 9, 2018

Twisting laser light offers the chance to probe the nano-scale

Researchers have developed a technique to sensitively measure molecule structure by twisting laser light and aiming it at miniscule gold gratings. This method could be used to probe the structure and purity of molecules in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, foods, and other important products more easily and cheaply.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateApr 5, 2018

Smaller and faster: The terahertz computer chip is now within reach

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created a terahertz microchip that enables computers to run 100 times faster through optic communications. The new integrated circuit uses flash memory technology and has overcome major challenges of overheating and scalability.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·DateMar 25, 2018

Laser-based sensing system can detect methane leaks from miles away

A new field instrument can quantify methane leaks as tiny as one-quarter of a human exhalation from nearly a mile away. The revamped laser technology provides game-changing information for safe industry operations and controlling harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalOptica·DateMar 23, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Depth-sensing imaging system can peer through fog

The MIT system uses a time-of-flight camera to measure the arrival times of reflected light and estimates a gamma distribution to filter out fog reflections. It calculates a different gamma distribution for each pixel, handling variations in fog density, and produces images of objects at distances up to 57 centimeters.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMar 21, 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

A future colorfully lit by mystifying physics of paint-on semiconductors

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a new class of semiconductors, known as hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), that can emit light with nuanced colors. The materials are energy-efficient, easy to process and stable at room temperature, making them potentially useful for various applications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateMar 19, 2018

'Frequency combs' ID chemicals within the mid-infrared spectral region

A team of researchers at NIST developed a new laser source, called frequency combs, to detect chemicals with greater sensitivity. These lasers can pass through samples without direct contact, enabling remote spectroscopy and high-sensitivity measurements for applications such as breath analyzers, cancer detection, and explosives tracking.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateMar 15, 2018
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.

Laser-heated nanowires produce micro-scale nuclear fusion

Researchers at Colorado State University have demonstrated micro-scale nuclear fusion using a compact laser, achieving record-setting efficiency for generating neutrons. This breakthrough could lead to advances in neutron-based imaging and materials science research.

SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 14, 2018

A milestone in petahertz electronics

Researchers observed attosecond optical-field-enhanced carrier injection into the GaAs conduction band, a process previously thought to be impossible. Intra-band motion plays a significant role in this phenomenon, enhancing the number of electrons excited into the conduction band.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 12, 2018
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.

Technique to see objects hidden around corners

The Stanford team has developed an efficient algorithm to process final images from non-line-of-sight imaging, overcoming a significant challenge in capturing 3-D structure of hidden objects. The system can produce images of out-of-view objects in under a second and is computationally efficient enough to run on regular laptops.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature·DateMar 5, 2018

JILA team invents new way to 'see' the quantum world

JILA scientists invent a novel imaging technique that combines spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopy to create rapid, precise measurements of quantum behavior. The technique produces detailed spatial maps of energy shifts among atoms in a three-dimensional lattice, providing information about each atom's location and energy level.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2018
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.

Mining hardware helps scientists gain insight into silicon nanoparticles

Researchers created a 3D dynamic model of light-nanoparticle interactions using mining hardware, showing particles lose symmetry and optical properties become heterogeneous when exposed to short intense laser pulses. This finding could enable control of light on a nanoscale for ultrafast information processing devices.

SourceITMO University·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMar 2, 2018

A spinning top of light

Physicists develop new method to precisely characterise extremely short light pulses, allowing for detailed information about electron place of origin in novel materials. This enables study of superconductors and topological materials, crucial for quantum computing and energy-efficient processors.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 1, 2018

Optical distance measurement at record-high speed

Researchers at KIT and EPFL developed a new type of chip-scale light source generating optical frequency combs in silicon nitride microresonators. This enables highly precise distance measurement at speeds of up to 100 million measurements per second, paving the way for real-time 3D cameras and compact LIDAR systems.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalScience·DateFeb 26, 2018
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.

Shedding (high-power laser) light on the plasma density limit

Japanese researchers at Osaka University propose that substances heated by high-power lasers produce an ultrahigh pressure plasma state comparable to stellar centers. The surface tension of this plasma can push back light, and the researchers derive a limit density for laser-induced hole boring.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2018

Physicists create new form of light

Researchers observe groups of three photons interacting, forming a new kind of photonic matter. The bound photons acquire mass and travel slower than non-interacting photons.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 15, 2018

New hole-punched crystal clears a path for quantum light

Researchers at the University of Maryland created a photonic chip that generates single photons and steers them around bends in the road. The device mitigates issues by rethinking crystal hole shapes and patterns, ensuring reliable transit for individual photons.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalScience·DateFeb 15, 2018

Rutgers-led innovation could spur faster, cheaper, nano-based manufacturing

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a new method for processing nanomaterials that could lead to faster and cheaper manufacturing of flexible thin film devices. The 'intense pulsed light sintering' method uses high-energy light to fuse nanomaterials in seconds, retaining conductivity while reducing temperatures.

SourceRutgers University·JournalRSC Advances·DateFeb 14, 2018
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Rubber blanket at an atomic level

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to measure internal stresses and strains in 2D materials, revealing the effects on electronic properties. This new technique allows for precise imaging of deformations, enabling targeted adjustment of material properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 12, 2018

New process allows 3-D printing of nanoscale metal structures

Researchers at Caltech developed a new technique to create complex nanoscale metal structures using 3D printing. The process involves synthesizing organic scaffolds that contain metal ions, allowing for the creation of metallic structures smaller than previously possible.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 9, 2018

Deep-brain exploration with nanomaterial

Researchers have developed a non-invasive method for stimulating the brain using nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light and emit visible photons, allowing for control of specific brain cells. This breakthrough enables the treatment of conditions such as seizures and fear memories with minimal invasiveness.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScience·DateFeb 8, 2018
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.

Clocking electrons racing faster than light in glass

Scientists at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory discovered that electrons traveling faster than light in glass live much longer than expected, lasting over 2000 times longer than the exciting laser pulse.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 6, 2018

Columbia engineers win $4.7 million DARPA grant to revolutionize augmented reality glasses

A team of Columbia engineers, led by Michal Lipson, has developed a groundbreaking AR glass design that enables high-resolution projection and detection with no moving parts. The technology leverages recent work on engineered optical materials (EnMats) and silicon nitride integrated photonics to provide an ultrahigh-resolution see-thro...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateFeb 5, 2018

A new way of generating ultra-short bursts of light

The new design doubles the conversion efficiency of conventional systems, allowing for greater bandwidth and resolution in detecting pollutants and diseases. The technology also enables the miniaturization of such systems onto a chip, leading to new applications for molecular detection and remote sensing.

SourceStanford University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 5, 2018

Illinois researchers develop new surface design inspired by snake skin

Researchers have created a new surface design featuring rigid scales assembled into soft, ferromagnetic micropillars on a flexible substrate. The nanostructured silicon scales enable fluid and light manipulation, with tunable wetting, droplet manipulation, and structural coloration demonstrated.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalSmall·DateFeb 2, 2018
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.

Materials research team lights the way for more efficient LEDs

Researchers at Naval Research Laboratory have discovered a new material that emits light much faster than conventional materials, enabling larger power, lower energy use, and faster switching for communication and sensors. The discovery could lead to 20 times more intense LEDs and lasers.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 31, 2018

NUS researchers develop wireless light switch for targeted cancer therapy

A team of scientists from the National University of Singapore has developed a way to wirelessly deliver light into deep regions of the body to activate light-sensitive drugs for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The technology enables PDT to be used on inner organs with fine control, potentially treating a wider range of cancers.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 29, 2018

UV laser photolyses to enhance diamond growth

Researchers used UV laser photolysis to improve diamond synthesis by suppressing unwanted side products. The technique promotes faster and better-quality diamond growth, opening up new possibilities for material synthesis.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJan 25, 2018
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.

Physicists have learned to change the wavelength of Tamm plasmons

Researchers from Siberian Federal University and L. V. Kirensky Institute of Physics predicted the structure to control Tamm plasmon wavelength using external fields or heating. They achieved a hybrid Tamm plasmon by incorporating a liquid crystal layer in a multilayer mirror, enabling color change through heating or electrification.

SourceSiberian Federal University·JournalJournal of the Optical Society of America B·DateJan 24, 2018