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Pioneering research boosts graphene revolution

Researchers have developed a new technique to trap light at the surface of graphene using laser pulses, enabling the steered light to be directed across the material's surface. This breakthrough has significant implications for advances in electronic products, such as sensors and miniaturized integrated circuits.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 16, 2015

UMD discovery could enable portable particle accelerators

Physicists at the University of Maryland have accelerated electron beams to nearly the speed of light using millijoules of laser pulse energy, a significant improvement over previous methods. This breakthrough could lead to ultra-compact machines useful for materials science and medical imaging, overcoming barriers in cost, complexity,...

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 5, 2015

Nanoscale diamond 'racetrack' becomes breakthrough Raman laser

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new class of Raman laser using nanoscale diamond resonator, enabling wider wavelength range and potential for improved telecommunications. The device works by converting one frequency of laser light to another, opening up possibilities for broadband data communications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 21, 2015

A resonator for electrons

Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully built an electron resonator, focusing electrons between two mirrors. The resonator's spin-coherent coupling could enable long-distance communication between quantum dots, solving a key challenge in quantum computing.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2015

New deposition technique enhances optoelectronic properties of lasers

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara develop a simple new electron-beam multilayer deposition technique to create high-quality ITO intracavity contacts, yielding significant improvements in optoelectronic properties. The technique paves the way for others to enter this realm of research and provides a critical part of gallium nitride-base...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 13, 2015

Intracellular microlasers could allow precise labeling of a trillion individual cells

Researchers have induced structures within cells to produce laser light, emitting specific wavelengths that allow for precise labeling and measurement of individual cells. This technology has the potential to tag up to a trillion cells, matching the estimated number of human body cells, enabling applications in basic research and disea...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 29, 2015

Smaller, faster, cheaper

A new type of electro-optic modulator is smaller, faster, and cheaper than traditional models, using plasmon-polaritons to enhance its performance. The device consumes much less energy than current commercial devices, making it a crucial step towards reducing the environmental impact of data transmission.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 27, 2015

Optical 'dog's nose' may hold key to breath analysis

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a non-invasive breath analysis system using an optical frequency comb, which measures molecular content in gas samples with high accuracy and speed. The system has promising potential for broad-scale health screening and could be available commercially in 3-5 years.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 7, 2015

Crossing a critical threshold in optical communications

Scientists from Lehigh University, Japan and Canada demonstrate the 'world's first fully functioning single crystal waveguide in glass' for all-optical data transmission. The breakthrough enables compact and multifunctional photonic integrated circuits with high density of components and opportunities for new technologies.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 8, 2015

Chameleon proteins make individual cells visible

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new microscopy technique that enables selective visualization of individual cells within complex tissue. Using 'chameleon proteins' like Dendra 2, they can highlight single cells or groups of molecules with one color while keeping other cells visible in another color.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Methods·DateMay 19, 2015

Magic wavelengths

Researchers at JQI have discovered special wavelengths, known as 'magic wavelengths', that can trap and excite Rydberg atoms without disturbing them. This breakthrough enables the creation of qubits and interaction of atoms in a useful regime.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalPhysical Review A·DateMay 11, 2015

Getting better all the time: JILA strontium atomic clock sets new records

The JILA strontium atomic clock has achieved unprecedented precision and stability levels, outperforming previous world records by more than three times. This breakthrough enables the measurement of tiny changes in time and gravity, with applications in advanced communications, positioning technologies, and relativistic geodesy.

Light in a spin

Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand have demonstrated the first observation of angular acceleration in laser light, which can be controlled with a single parameter. This breakthrough could lead to new applications using structured light fields.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPhysical Review A·DateApr 15, 2015

New light for old master paintings

A new technique based on Optical Coherence Tomography allows conservators to analyze the hidden layers in priceless paintings without removing physical samples. This enables detailed information on the chemical composition of paint and coatings applied over time.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 13, 2015