Research using lasers and light-based technology. Covers electron control, metalens optics, mid-flight drone charging, and water purification.
Researchers have made significant progress in developing stable laser sources for third-generation gravitational wave detectors, enabling the detection of weaker signals from distant cosmic events. The development includes a new type of pre-mode cleaner that compensates for astigmatism, making designs like the Einstein Telescope possible.
Researchers developed dual-function nanorod LEDs that can emit, detect, and respond to light. These LEDs can be used in display arrays that adjust brightness based on ambient light conditions and recognize objects through touchless gestures or laser stylus input.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, real-time imaging system that can detect methane gas leaks in pipelines and oil and gas facilities. The system uses active hyperspectral imaging technology and a single-pixel camera to acquire videos of gas leaking at a rate of 0.2 liters per minute.
Researchers propose eliminating most wires in data centers by using infrared free-space optics to transmit information. This technology enables fast data transfer rates with minimal interference and can accommodate thousands of servers on a single rack.
Researchers create a frequency comb in the visible spectrum using a micro-bubble resonator, enabling precise optical measurements with low power consumption. The device has potential applications in medical science and optics research.
Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have made a groundbreaking discovery that allows for real-time error correction in quantum communications. By utilizing classical entangled light, they can establish secure quantum links over long distances, paving the way for major advances in data transfer and encryption.
University of Washington researchers have made a breakthrough in building electrically pumped nanolasers, critical for high-performance parallel computing and data center efficiency. By integrating atomically thin monolayer materials with nano-cavities, they have achieved efficient light emission and modulation.
Matthew McGill, a NASA Goddard researcher, has made significant contributions to understanding climate change impacts through the application of lidar technology. His work on the Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) instrument has been successfully operating on the International Space Station for two years.
Researchers detect electromagnetic fluctuations in the quantum vacuum using a world-leading optical measurement technique. The findings could lead to breakthroughs in understanding radiation and material properties.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a technique to create ultra-fine grained films using self-assembling nanoparticles, leading to more efficient and stable perovskite-based LEDs. This advancement brings perovskite technologies closer to commercialization and could speed the adoption of lower-cost and environmentally fri...
The Dalian Coherent Light Source (DCLS) is a new bright VUV FEL light source, unique in operating within the VUV region and delivering world's brightest FEL light in an energy range of 8 to 24 eV. It has applications in studying basic energy science, chemistry, physics, and atmospheric sciences.
Physicists at NIST have cooled a mechanical object to a temperature lower than previously thought possible, below the so-called
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.