The sharpest laser in the world
Researchers from PTB and JILA develop a laser with an unprecedented 10 mHz linewidth, setting a new world record. The precision of the laser allows for accurate measurements in optical atomic clocks and spectroscopy.
Laser Light
Research using lasers and light-based technology. Covers electron control, metalens optics, mid-flight drone charging, and water purification.
Seeing the forest through the trees with a new LiDAR system
Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory have created a new LiDAR system that can survey obscured ground using gated digital holography methods. This technology allows for 3D topography surveys through foliage or other obstacles, with potential applications in disaster relief and self-driving cars.
New photoacoustic technique detects gases at parts-per-quadrillion level
Researchers have developed a new photoacoustic technique that can detect gases at the parts-per-quadrillion level using three resonances to amplify the signal. This breakthrough enables the detection of low-concentration pollutants and has potential applications in environmental monitoring.
One billion suns: World's brightest laser sparks new behavior in light
Physicists have observed changes in a vision-enabling interaction between light and matter by focusing laser light to unprecedented brightness. The team discovered unique X-ray pulses with potential for medical, engineering, scientific, and security applications.
Protein mingling under blue light
Researchers developed CRY2clust to trigger protein cluster formation in response to blue light, outperforming existing methods with a faster response rate and higher sensitivity.
NIST/CU team launches 'comb and copter' system to map atmospheric gases
The NIST/CU team has developed a mobile ground-based system that scans and maps atmospheric gas plumes over kilometer distances. The system uses an eye-safe laser instrument to analyze the colors of light absorbed by gases, allowing for near-real-time detection of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.
Ultra-thin camera creates images without lenses
Engineers at Caltech developed a new camera design that replaces traditional lenses with an ultra-thin optical phased array, enabling the creation of flat, thin, and lightweight cameras. The system manipulates incoming light to capture images, offering applications in smartphone cameras, astronomy, and wearable technology.
New metrology technique measures electric fields
American scientists have developed a new method to measure electric fields using atomic resonance-based technology, allowing for accurate and traceable measurements. This technique has improved spatial resolution and can measure frequencies up to one terahertz, relevant for future wireless mobile telecommunication systems.
Stanford scientists turbocharge high-resolution, 3-D imaging
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a way to retrofit OCT machines with off-the-shelf components, increasing resolution by several-fold. This improvement enables physicians to perform virtual biopsies and detect retinal and corneal damage, incipient tumors, and more with enhanced accuracy.
Researchers discover shortcut to satellite-based quantum encryption network
Ground-based measurements of quantum states sent by a laser aboard a satellite demonstrate the feasibility of a satellite-based quantum communication network. This breakthrough could enable an extremely secure way to encrypt data sent over long distances, potentially cutting development time in half.
Changing the color of laser light on the femtosecond time scale
Researchers observed a 50% enhancement in second harmonic generation from BiCoO3 crystal upon THz laser pulse irradiation. This effect occurs on the 100 femtosecond time scale, suggesting potential applications in ultrafast optoelectronic devices.
Device designed to exploit scattering of light by mechanical vibrations
Researchers developed a silicon photonic device that can exploit the scattering of light by mechanical vibrations, called Brillouin scattering. The device uses two silicon microdisks with tiny cavities, enabling light and mechanical waves to interact at high frequencies.
SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 6, 2017
UTA researcher earns grant to develop power-scalable compact semiconductor laser
Weidong Zhou is developing a high-power semiconductor laser that is compact, efficient and power-scalable. The goal of this project is to address the challenges associated with scaling laser power towards kilo- and mega-watts level while maintaining excellent beam quality, high-energy efficiency and compact size.
Physicists create 'molecular black hole' using ultra-intense X-ray pulses
Researchers at Kansas State University used ultra-intense X-rays to break up molecules, creating a molecular 'black hole' that pulls electrons away. This discovery may help scientists understand the damage caused by X-ray radiation in biological systems.
Laser weapons could go from big screen to battlefield with engineers' help
Two Clemson University engineers, John Ballato and Lin Zhu, are receiving a combined $3.2 million from the Department of Defense to create high-energy lasers that can be used as weapons. The military has already deployed some lasers as defensive weapons to shoot down incoming missiles and drones.
New plasmonic sensor improves early cancer detection
A new plasmonic sensor developed by researchers at the University of Illinois has been proven reliable to detect biomarkers for many forms of cancer, including lung and prostate cancers. The device uses a combination of plasmonic sensing and optical cavity properties to detect lower concentrations of biomarkers.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMay 30, 2017
Strathclyde-led research develops world's highest gain high-power laser amplifier
The University of Strathclyde researchers have developed a highly efficient laser amplifier using plasma, achieving an amplification gain of over eight orders of magnitude. This breakthrough could lead to the development of ultra-intense and ultra-short laser pulses at a lower cost.
Ultrafast tunable semiconductor metamaterial created
Researchers have devised an ultrafast tunable metamaterial based on gallium arsenide nanoparticles that can be turned on and off quickly, paving the way for ultrafast optical computers. The material consists of semiconductor nanoparticles that concentrate and interact with light efficiently.
NASA to create first-ever space-based sodium lidar to study poorly understood mesosphere
Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a space-based sodium lidar to study the complex relationship between the chemistry and dynamics of the mesosphere, which lies 40-100 miles above Earth's surface. The instrument aims to provide higher-resolution data on small-scale dynamics in the upper atmosphere.
Laser, sound waves provide live views of organs in action
Researchers at Duke University and CalTech have developed a hybrid imaging technology that combines light and ultrasound to provide live, holistic views of small animal organs. This technique breaks the resolution and speed barriers in whole-body imaging, enabling functional imaging of entire bodies with sub-millimeter-level resolution.
NIST physicists find a way to control charged molecules -- with quantum logic
NIST physicists have solved the puzzle of controlling molecular ions using quantum logic, a technique that also drives an experimental atomic clock. The new method achieves effective control of molecules as laser cooling and other techniques can control atoms.
Researchers develop transistors that can switch between 2 stable energy states
Engineers have created a transistor that can form an optical-electric switch, enabling faster processing speeds. The device can communicate without interference, overcoming the bottleneck formed by electronic data transmission.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 9, 2017
Stanford team brings quantum computing closer to reality with new materials
A Stanford team has made significant advancements in developing new materials for quantum computing, enabling the creation of practical systems. By harnessing light and electron interactions, they have created structures that can trap spinning electrons, a crucial step towards making quantum computing a reality.
Researchers shed new light on influenza detection
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers has led to the development of a test kit for detecting influenza using fluorescent light. The test kit emits red fluorescence when exposed to infected patient samples, indicating the presence of the virus.
Lasers shed light on the inner workings of the giant larvacean
Giant larvaceans play a significant role in moving carbon from the upper to deep sea through their 'houses,' which filter tiny particles. Laser technology enables researchers to visualize chambers and passageways inside these structures, revealing higher filtration rates than previously estimated.
Photoluminescent display absorbs, converts light into energy
Researchers developed a laser phosphor display that can absorb ambient light, generating power while displaying high-resolution images. The system achieves up to 71% energy harvesting, but face challenges with ghost images and design optimization.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateMay 1, 2017
New organic lasers one step closer to reality
Researchers at Kyushu University's CENTER FOR ORGANIC PHOTONICS AND ELECTRONICS RESEARCH (OPERA) reported a breakthrough in developing new organic thin-film lasers that can continuously emit light for up to 30 ms, outperforming previous devices.
New fiber optic probe brings endoscopic diagnosis of cancer closer to the clinic
Researchers have developed a handheld fiber optic probe that uses nonlinear imaging techniques to diagnose cancer without tissue staining. The probe can acquire multiple images simultaneously and has been tested on various tissue samples, showing promising results for identifying tumor borders.
Light has new capacity for electronics
Scientists have discovered a new phenomenon called the photodielectric effect, which could lead to the creation of laser-controlled touch displays. The discovery uses light to increase the dielectric permittivity of a material, allowing for more efficient energy storage and filtering.
Light can improve perovskite solar cell performance
EPFL scientists have found that light plays a crucial role in controlling the morphology of perovskite crystals, leading to improved photovoltaic performance. The study reveals that the presence of light accelerates the formation of perovskites and enhances crystal growth.
By listening to optical 'noise,' researchers discover new way to track hidden objects
Researchers have developed a new solution to tracking objects hidden behind scattering media by analyzing fluctuations in optical 'noise' created by their movement. The approach can advance real-time remote sensing for military and biomedical applications.
SAVI camera ditches long lens for distant images
The SAVI camera uses laser light to capture high-resolution images of distant objects, eliminating the need for a long lens. The technology has potential applications in visible light imaging, with researchers envisioning real-time, high-resolution capture using this synthetic aperture approach.
Researchers find mechanism to protect biomolecules against light-induced damage
Scientists used X-ray laser pulses to investigate how energy from light transforms a molecule, revealing a mechanism for protecting biomolecules against light-induced damage. The research provides insight into excited state proton transfers in DNA and other molecules.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 10, 2017
Device boosts interaction between light and motion
A Brazilian research team developed an optomechanical device that boosts the coupling between light waves and mechanical waves to higher levels than similar devices. This enables the creation of highly customizable sensors for detecting force and motion, as well as potential applications in telecommunications as optical modulators.
Green laser light probes metals for hidden damage (animation)
Researchers have developed a spectroscopic method using second harmonic generation to detect internal damage in metals. The technique uses green laser light to identify changes in metal properties, potentially distinguishing between intact and damaged parts.
Proton beam power boosted with pulsed lasers, promising better proton therapies
Osaka University researchers used sharp, ultra-short laser pulses to generate charged particles, achieving beams with higher energy and more precise control. The study challenged conventional models, finding that lower-intensity laser light can produce high-energy charged particles.
Nanoscopic golden springs change color of twisted light
Researchers used gold spring-shaped coils to enhance interactions between light and chiral molecules, enabling detection of minute amounts. The study's findings have potential applications in pharmaceutical design, telecommunications, and nanorobotics.
New quantum gadget could make contactless payment more secure
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a system to transmit quantum keys, ensuring data security and detecting eavesdropping. The prototype uses movable mirrors and ultrafast LEDs to send secret pin-codes over short distances, improving the security of contactless transactions.
New low-cost method to produce light-based lab-on-a-chip devices for fast medical tests
Researchers develop low-cost fabrication process using low-power laser etching to create polymer waveguides, enabling integration of optical sensing onto lab-on-a-chip devices. The new technique also shows promise for other applications requiring precision microstructuring.
Controlling fast X-ray pulses with laser light
Researchers at Louisiana State University and Lund University have developed a new method to direct short bursts of x-ray light using strong laser pulses. This breakthrough allows for precise control over the properties of the light, including direction and pulse duration.
Transparent silver: Tarnish-proof films for flexible displays, touch screens
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a transparent silver film that can survive air exposure and maintain its conductive properties. The film has potential applications in touchscreens, flexible displays, and metamaterials for faster computing and data transfer.
Electrons used to control ultrashort laser pulses
Researchers at Lund University developed a method to control extreme UV light using strong laser pulses, allowing for precise manipulation of electron dynamics and light properties. This technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of light/electron interactions.
Piece of mind
University of Utah engineers develop 'computational cannula microscopy' to capture high-resolution images of animal brains using surgical needles and laser light. This non-invasive method shows promise for studying neurological disorders and could lead to a simpler, less expensive alternative to endoscopes for human patients.
'Flying saucer' quantum dots hold secret to brighter, better lasers
A research team has developed a new method for fabricating lasers using nanoparticles known as quantum dots. By carefully controlling the size of the quantum dots, they can 'tune' the frequency or color of the emitted light to any desired value.
UC researchers use gold coating to control luminescence of nanowires
Researchers at University of Cincinnati are developing novel nanowire semiconductors with organic material to transmit data with the speed of fiber optics. The successful harnessing of plasmon waveguiding could enable faster, cheaper, and more efficient electronics.
Imaging at the speed of light
Scientists have developed a technique to visualize the complete evolution of micro- and nanostructure formation on a material's surface. This allows for better control over these structures, which are crucial for improving various technologies such as anti-corrosive materials, energy absorbers, and medical instrumentation.
Ultrashort light pulses for fast 'lightwave' computers
The team successfully controlled the peaks of laser pulses and twisted light, moving electrons faster and more efficiently than electrical currents. This achievement brings us closer to developing fast 'lightwave' computers that can process information up to 100,000 times faster than current electronics.
MIPT physicists predict the existence of unusual optical composites
Physicists from MIPT predicted transparent composite media with unusual optical properties using graphics card-based simulations. These structures can exhibit birefringence, a phenomenon where light splits into two beams inside the medium.
Researchers flip a magnetic memory cell with a light pulse at record speed
University of Minnesota researchers developed a magnetic tunnel junction that can be switched by a pulse of light lasting one trillionth of a second, breaking the current speed record. The device has the potential to enable faster writing speeds and revolutionize information technology advances.
Guiding light: Sandia creates 3-D metasurfaces with optical possibilities
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new type of metamaterial using III-V semiconductors that can be used to create ultra-efficient optical devices. The materials offer a wide range of tunable properties, including the ability to manipulate light and generate entangled photons.
Scientists develop spectacles for X-ray lasers
Researchers at DESY developed tailor-made corrective glasses to concentrate X-ray beams stronger than ever before. The lenses improved focus by three-quarters and reduced scattered light, enabling more precise measurements and new applications.
Lead dressed like gold
Using advanced computational theory, researchers developed a method called spectral dynamic mimicry that allows them to calculate the laser pulse shape to produce any desired spectral output. This ability could have implications for optical computing and molecular detection.
Researchers use laser-generated bubbles to create 3-D images in liquid
Scientists have developed a new technology that uses laser-generated bubbles to create 3D images in a liquid screen, allowing viewers to see the display from all angles. The bubbles are created using femtosecond laser pulses and can be colored by changing the illumination light.
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
Penn engineers overcome a hurdle in growing a revolutionary optical metamaterial
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown colloidal crystals with a diamond structure, enabling special optical properties. The material, called a photonic bandgap material, could revolutionize photonics and enable the construction of 'transistors' for light.
New window into the nanoworld
Researchers have captured images of terahertz electron dynamics of a semiconductor surface on the atomic scale, unlocking a new window into the nanoworld. The breakthrough allows for ultrafast observation of atomic processes with unprecedented precision.
'Lossless' metamaterial could boost efficiency of lasers and other light-based devices
Researchers created a material that reduces signal losses in photonic devices, boosting the efficiency of lasers and other light-based technologies. The discovery addresses a key challenge in photonics by incorporating a semiconductor material into plasmonic metamaterials.
NTU Singapore invents ultrafast camera for self-driving vehicles and drones
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed an ultrafast high-contrast camera that can record the slightest movements and objects in real-time. The new camera is designed to help self-driving cars and drones avoid collisions by analyzing visual data instantly, reducing processing lag times.
Optimizing data center placement and network design to strengthen cloud computing
Researchers have developed a mathematical model that optimizes data center placement and network design for improved flow of internet traffic generated by cloud computing. The model utilizes distance-adaptive transmission technology, which can reduce bandwidth usage by up to 50%.
Extending VCSEL wavelength coverage to the mid-infrared
A team of German researchers has developed a buried tunnel junction VCSEL with a single-stage type-II active region to extend the wavelength coverage of electrically pumped VCSELs into the mid-infrared range. This achievement demonstrates the potential for low-power, battery-operated gas sensors in various industries.