NIST physicists 'squeeze' light to cool microscopic drum below quantum limit
Physicists at NIST have cooled a mechanical object to a temperature lower than previously thought possible, below the so-called
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Articles tagged with Laser Light
Researchers create practical and versatile microscopic optomechanical device
A new optomechanical device uses a microscopic silicon disk to confine optical and mechanical waves, achieving high coupling rates and making it highly customizable. The device's design allows for independent tailoring of its performance with different light frequencies or mechanical wave frequencies.
The researchers created a tiny laser using nanoparticles
Researchers at Aalto University developed a plasmonic nanolaser that operates at visible light frequencies and uses dark lattice modes, allowing for ultrafast and tiny coherent light sources. The nanolaser uses silver nanoparticles arranged in a periodic array, which radiate in unison to produce high-intensity laser light.
Using super-slow motion movie, scientists pin down the workings of a key proton pump
Bacteriorhodopsin, a key protein in cell membranes, uses light to transport protons and create a charge difference. Researchers used time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography to determine the proton pump mechanism, shedding light on a long-standing debate.
Advance in intense pulsed light sintering opens door to improved electronics manufacturing
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a new method for sintering nanoparticles using intense pulsed light, enabling faster and more efficient production of advanced flexible electronics. The breakthrough allows for larger areas to be processed in seconds, reducing the need for high-temperature equipment.
Proteins at the movies
Researchers have successfully filmed protein folding in three dimensions for the first time, enabling them to observe minute changes in protein structures during transformation. The technique, developed using Japan's XFEL facility, has significant implications for drug development and studying membrane transport proteins.
Tattoos mark the spot -- for surgery -- then disappear
Scientists have developed a temporary tattoo ink that marks the spot for future treatment in skin cancer patients. The new ink glows under specific light conditions and can disappear after a period of time, eliminating the need for laser or surgical removal.
Magnifying time reveals fundamental rogue wave instabilities of nature
Scientists used a novel measurement technique to magnify time and study ultrafast intense pulses of light, confirming theoretical predictions. The technique has implications for understanding giant rogue waves on the ocean and extreme events in nature.
NIST device for detecting subatomic-scale motion may aid robotics, homeland security
Scientists at NIST have developed a new device that measures atomic-scale motion with unprecedented precision. The handheld tool can also be mass-produced to aid in sensing trace amounts of hazardous agents, perfecting robot movement, and detecting weak sound waves.
World's smallest radio receiver has building blocks the size of 2 atoms
Researchers have created a tiny radio receiver using atomic-scale defects in pink diamonds, enabling it to operate in harsh environments and human bodies. The device uses nitrogen-vacancy centers, which can emit single photons or detect weak magnetic fields.
Ultrafast lasers reveal light-harvesting secrets of photosynthetic algae
Scientists at Princeton University have discovered a vibrational resonance mechanism that enables the efficient transfer of light energy in cryptophyte algae. This finding provides valuable insights for designing artificial light-harvesting systems, potentially leading to more efficient solar energy collectors.
Optical tractor beam traps bacteria
Bielefeld University physicists develop new method to study biological cells using optical tractor beams, allowing for superresolution images of DNA in single bacteria. The technique enables researchers to rotate and move bacterial cells at will, enabling the study of three-dimensional cellular structures.
Versatile optical laser will enable innovative experiments at atomic-scale measurements
A German research team developed a high-power, pulsed optical laser synchronized with the XFEL pulses, offering tunability in wavelength and pulse duration. The laser system will be published in Optics Express and is designed for experiments at atomic-scale measurements.
Why cryptophyte algae are really good at harvesting light
Cryptophyte algae have been found to harness light energy at an unprecedented rate, thanks to the ability of molecular vibrations to enhance photon absorption. This discovery has potential applications in developing more efficient light-harvesting technologies, such as sensors and communication systems.
New material could lead to erasable and rewriteable optical chips
A new material developed by Yuebing Zheng could lead to the creation of erasable and rewriteable optical chips. The material, which combines light-sensitive molecules with a plasmonic surface, allows for wireless erasure and rewriting of optical components.
ANU invention to inspire new night-vision specs
Scientists at ANU have designed a nano crystal that turns darkness into visible light, enabling the creation of lightweight night-vision glasses. This innovation has potential applications in anti-counterfeit devices, medical imaging, and holographic displays.
New telescope chip offers clear view of alien planets
A new optical chip enables astronomers to capture clear images of exoplanets near their host sun, overcoming the challenge of intense solar brightness. This breakthrough technology uses an interferometer to cancel out sunlight and detect fainter planet light, paving the way for discovering planets with conditions suitable for life.
UMMS scientist designs lamp light operative photodynamic molecules for tumor therapy
A new class of NIR-absorbing biodegradable organic nanoparticles has been developed for the targeting and treatment of deep-tissue tumors. These molecules can be triggered by low-power lamp light, allowing for precise tumor-targeting therapy with minimal side effects.
New technology of ultrahigh density optical storage researched at Kazan University
Scientists at Kazan University developed a new principle of optical storage based on tip-enhanced Raman scattering effect to overcome the diffraction limit. The new technology enables up to 1 Pb/dm2 storage capacity, approximately equal to 1 million standard DVDs.
Squeezed states of light can improve feedback cooling significantly
Researchers from DTU Physics demonstrated how quantum-engineered states of light can improve the efficiency of feedback cooling beyond classical bounds. They successfully cooled a mechanical oscillator's temperature by more than 140 degrees below room temperature using a novel technique involving squeezed light.
New method developed for analyzing photonic crystal structure
Researchers have developed a new method for analyzing photonic crystal structure, which provides a direct view of the inner details. The technique uses scattered light patterns to reveal the iso-frequency contours, offering a beautiful and straightforward way to observe the material's properties.
Spray-printed crystals to move forward organic electronic applications
Researchers at University of Surrey develop a scalable and low-cost method to fabricate high-quality isolated organic single crystals using spray-printing. This breakthrough enables the production of inexpensive electronics with applications in flexible circuits, medical detectors, sensors, and more.
New research in Malawi will help to secure raw materials for green technologies
A pioneering study reveals how Songwe Hill Rare Earth Project in Malawi can enhance global security of critical earth elements. The research finds that hot fluids can cause heavy rare earth enrichment, creating a well-balanced deposit suitable for the growing magnetics industry.
What a twist: Silicon nanoantennas turn light around
Researchers developed a silicon nanoantenna that scatters light in a particular direction depending on the intensity of incident radiation. The nanoantenna allows for the dynamic modification of its properties, enabling faster control over light propagation and paving the way for ultrafast processing of optical information.
New records set up with 'Screws of Light'
Researchers at the University of Vienna have made significant breakthroughs in transmitting twisted light over long distances, exceeding 100 kilometers. They also demonstrated record-breaking quantum entanglement with 5-digit quantum numbers using a novel technique developed in Australia.
The self-driving microscope
Researchers developed an adaptive microscope that can analyze and optimize its settings in real-time, achieving five-fold improvements in resolution. This technology enables long-term imaging of entire embryos and has significant implications for high-throughput drug screens and biological modeling.
World's smallest magnifying glass makes it possible to see chemical bonds between atoms
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a tiny optical cavity, known as a pico-cavity, that focuses light down to single atom scales. This innovation enables real-time observation of atomic movement and opens up new possibilities for studying light-matter interactions.
Scientists have 'scared away' microparticles with laser light
Researchers have developed a method to manipulate microparticles using laser light, creating fast waterflows that allow for efficient surface cleaning without damaging the material. The technique also enables the assembly of micro- and nanoparticle patterns at solid-liquid interfaces with high precision.
First random laser made of paper-based ceramics
A team led by Professor Cordt Zollfrank from the Technical University of Munich created the first controllable random laser based on cellulose paper. The laser uses a biogenic structure to scatter light in different directions, but can still be controlled and localized.
Attosecond physics: A zeptosecond stopwatch for the microcosm
Physicists have recorded an internal atomic event with unprecedented precision, measuring the duration of photoionization for the first time with zeptosecond accuracy. The study provides a reliable basis for future experiments and reconciles theory and experiment in complex systems like helium.
Shedding light on the formation of nanodroplets in aqueous solutions of polar organics
A team of Russian researchers used dynamic light scattering and phase microscopy to demonstrate the existence of stable nanodroplets of tetrahydrofuran (THF) in aqueous electrolyte solutions. The research developed a new theory explaining the spontaneous generation of heterogeneous nanoparticles due to 'twinkling' hydrogen bonds.
Entering the field of zeptosecond measurement
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute and Technical University of Munich have measured photoionization with unprecedented zeptosecond precision, determining the timescale of this process for the first time. This achievement resolves quantum mechanics' impact on ultra-short events in atomic interactions.
We gather here today to join lasers and anti-lasers
Scientists at Berkeley Lab created a single device that can act as both a laser and an anti-laser, enabling flexible operation in optical communication. The device uses parity-time symmetry to balance amplification and absorption, allowing for control over light behavior.
Laser particles could provide sharper images of tissues
Scientists at MIT and Harvard University developed a new imaging technique called LASE microscopy, which uses tiny particles to create sharper images of deep tissue and cells. The particles emit laser light when stimulated by a laser beam, resulting in higher-resolution images.
Smart microscope adapts to changes in live specimens
The new 'smart' light-sheet microscope analyzes a specimen continuously and adjusts its settings to optimize image quality. Researchers achieved improvements in spatial resolution and signal strength by a factor of 2 to 5, making it easier to produce high-quality images of larger specimens.
NASA completes Webb Telescope Center of Curvature pre-test
Engineers successfully completed the first Center of Curvature test for the James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror, measuring its shape and alignment with incredible precision. The test will be repeated after launch environment testing to confirm the optics' performance in space.
New instrument could search for signatures of life on Mars
A new instrument prototype, BILI, uses fluorescence-based lidar to search for organic bio-signatures on Mars and other targets in the solar system. The instrument can scan terrain from a distance of several hundred meters, detecting small levels of complex organic materials in real-time.
Weakness is good...when controlling light
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new method for controlling light using one-third of the energy typically required. The asymmetric metawaveguide technology has the potential to lead to more powerful and energy-efficient computer chips and other optics-based technologies.
Researchers watch in 3-D as neurons talk to each other in a living mouse brain
Researchers have developed a new method to record brain activity in living mice, capturing the dynamic activity of thousands of neurons in three dimensions. The technique, known as 'light sculpting,' uses laser pulses to illuminate and analyze the activity of neurons within specific layers of the brain.
Making lasers cool again
Sushil Kumar aims to create terahertz semiconductor lasers with precise emission frequency, improving power output and beam quality. His goal is to enable various applications including chemical sensing, disease diagnosis and remote-sensing in astronomy.
Novel light sources made of 2-D materials
Researchers have developed novel light sources using 2-D materials, which can be used to transfer information securely. The light sources emit photons in pairs, making them ideal for quantum communication. Additionally, the novel lasers exhibit self-sustaining properties, opening up new possibilities for studying quantum effects.
Extinguishing a fusion fire in a flash of light
Researchers found that injecting large quantities of neon gas can rapidly cool and extinguish magnetically confined fusion plasmas hotter than the sun's center. This process converts plasma heat into an intense flash of light, uniformly illuminating the interior wall to avoid damage.
Making silicon-germanium core fibers a reality
Researchers have developed a method to create glass fibers with single-crystal silicon-germanium cores using laser recrystallization. This process enables the creation of functional materials for faster transistors and expands the capabilities of endoscopes.
The houseplant with a blueprint for improving energy harvesting
Begonia species have evolved a nanoscale light-trapping structure to harvest energy in low-light environments. The iridoplasts, found only in dark conditions, reflect blue light and absorb green light to maximize photosynthesis.
The quantum sniffer dog
A microscopic sensor has been developed at TU Wien that can identify different gases simultaneously using a laser and detector in one. The sensor, made of a sophisticated layered system of materials, emits light in the infrared range and measures its strength to detect gases with unique 'fingerprints'.
Converting optical frequencies with 10^(-21) uncertainty
Researchers have developed an optical frequency divider with unprecedented precision, enabling arbitrary optical frequency conversions. This breakthrough paves the way for improved applications in optics, metrology, and atomic physics.
Move over, lasers: Scientists can now create holograms from neutrons, too
Researchers at NIST have developed a method to create visual holograms using neutron beams, which can reveal detailed information about an object's interior. This technique has potential applications in studying solid materials and exploring small structures.
Innovative technique for shaping light could solve bandwidth crunch
Researchers developed a spatial multiplexing technique that reshapes laser light into multiple modes, increasing data transmission capacity. The approach demonstrated in a laboratory free-space optical network showed 98% efficiency and could work in optical fibers.
OU researchers develop novel, non-invasive cancer therapy
University of Oklahoma researchers have designed a novel photothermal therapy that eliminates tumors without affecting healthy cells. The therapy uses single-walled carbon nanotubes to target specific cancer cells in breast, bladder, esophageal, and melanoma cancers.
Researchers create stretchy, biocompatible optical fibers
Developed by MIT and Harvard Medical School, the fibers are made from hydrogel material that can stretch and bend like taffy. They can sense signs of disease and could be used to deliver therapeutic pulses of light, enabling long-lasting implantable medical devices.
JILA's superradiant laser may one day boost atomic clocks
The superradiant laser uses synchronized emissions of light from strontium atoms to improve atomic clock performance and create precise 'rulers' for space science. The laser's output is expected to be less sensitive to noise, making it sharper as a precision tool.
Filming light and electrons coupled together as they travel under cover
Researchers have developed an ultrafast technique to film the propagation of guided light and read its spatial profile across a multilayered structure. This breakthrough enables the design and control of confined plasmonic fields, crucial for future optoelectronic devices.
Astonishingly short mid-infrared pulses offer new tool for peering inside atoms and solids
Researchers have generated femtosecond pulses in mid-infrared wavelengths, opening opportunities for research in physics, chemistry and biomedicine. The new technique allows scientists to study atomic processes taking place in atoms, molecules and solids with unprecedented speed.
Noise-canceling optics
A team led by Caltech's Changhuei Yang and Edward Zhou developed a device that selectively cancels scattered light, revealing dimly reflective objects. The technology, termed 'coherence gated negation,' has potential applications in satellite exploration and biomedical imaging.
UCLA physicists demonstrate method to study atoms critical to medicine
Researchers have successfully cooled rubidium atoms to nearly absolute zero using a multicolored laser, paving the way for studying chemical reactions in medicine and biology. The technique involves using pairs of photons to mimic high-energy ultraviolet light, overcoming previous difficulties in generating such photons.
Metamaterial uses light to control its motion
Scientists at the University of California - San Diego designed a device that harnesses light to manipulate its mechanical properties. The device oscillates indefinitely using energy absorbed from light, enabling new applications in GPS, computers, and other devices.
First quantum photonic circuit with an electrically driven light source
Researchers have successfully integrated a complete quantum optical structure on a chip using carbon nanotubes as single-photon sources. This achievement fulfills one condition for the use of photonic circuits in optical quantum computers and opens up new possibilities for ultrafast calculation and secure data encryption.
Motion-directed robots on a micro scale
Researchers created simple microswimmers with a phototaxis system, enabling them to move towards darker areas. By using a laser-generated light field with saw-tooth profiles, the microswimmers can be steered reliably over long distances.
A new method for obtaining of high-precision optical rulers devised
Physicists devise a method to control optical solitons in microresonators, allowing for stable pulse generation and spectral comb formation. This enables precise measurement of optical frequencies, including those in the radio wave range.
How to control polarization of light
Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have successfully controlled the polarization of light, reducing its speed by up to 10 times. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of spatial light modulators, which could enable faster and more efficient data processing in photonic computers.