Add BrightSurf on Google Email

New technique to help produce next-generation photonic chips

Researchers from the University of Southampton have developed a new technique, Ultrafast photomodulation spectroscopy (UPMS), to help produce more reliable and robust next-generation photonic chips. This method uses ultraviolet laser pulses to change the refractive index of silicon in a tiny area on the chip.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 17, 2014
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.

Spiral laser beam creates quantum whirlpool

Physicists at Australian National University have created a spiral laser beam that generates a stable vortex of polaritons, which are hybrid particles exhibiting both matter-like and light-like behavior. This achievement could enable the development of novel technology linking conventional electronics with photonics.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 16, 2014

Creating bright X-ray pulses in the laser lab

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new laser system to create high-flux X-ray pulses, which will allow for more accurate measurements in various scientific fields. The new technology uses mid-infrared light and can produce up to 25 times higher X-ray flux than previous experiments.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 11, 2014

Twisted light waves sent across Vienna

Researchers sent twisted light beams across Vienna, encoding images and demonstrating increased data-carrying capacity. The technology could significantly increase data-rates in classical communication and make secret keys tougher to crack in quantum communication.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateNov 11, 2014

NASA lining up ICESat-2's laser-catching telescope

The ICESat-2 satellite will measure the elevation of Earth from space to track changes in ice-covered poles, forests and ocean surfaces. The Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) instrument will time how long light travels from the satellite's lasers to Earth's surface.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 3, 2014

Lord of the microrings

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a unique microring laser cavity that can produce single-mode lasing even from conventional multi-mode laser cavities. This breakthrough holds implications for optical metrology, interferometry, data storage, spectroscopy, and communications.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateOct 30, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Supersonic laser-propelled rockets

Researchers at Optica have developed a hybrid approach that integrates laser-ablation propulsion with gas blasting nozzles, increasing thrust efficiency. This innovation enables supersonic speeds for launching small satellites and accelerating aircraft to Mach 10 and beyond.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateOct 29, 2014

Turning loss to gain: Cutting power could dramatically boost laser output

Princeton engineers found that carefully restricting power delivery to certain areas within a laser can boost its output significantly. By targeting specific modes, they showed improvements in efficiency ranging from 100-fold to 10,000-fold, allowing for more control over frequency and spatial pattern of light emission.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 26, 2014

A 'Star Wars' laser bullet -- this is what it really looks like

Researchers at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences have developed a new compact high-power laser that can create ultrashort pulses. The laser generates powerful femtosecond pulses that can penetrate long distances, allowing for real-time atmospheric pollution detection using LIDAR technology.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·DateOct 22, 2014

Winning by losing

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology and Washington University in St. Louis have confirmed a paradoxical laser effect, where energy loss can turn lasers on. By carefully tuning the amount of light lost through a chromium needle, they were able to switch the laser system on.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 20, 2014
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.

Engineers find a way to win in laser performance by losing

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to reverse optical loss and increase laser intensity by modulating loss in the system. By adding loss to a laser system, they achieved energy gains and demonstrated new nonlinear phenomena.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2014

Tuning light to kill deep cancer tumors

A novel strategy combining nanoparticle technology with FDA-approved photodynamic therapy has been developed to effectively kill deep-set cancer cells in vivo. The treatment uses low-power, deep-tissue-penetrating light to activate the cancer-killing drug, showing improved destruction of tumors with minimal damage to surrounding tissue.

SourceUMass Chan Medical School·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 15, 2014
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Rediscovering Venus to find faraway earths

Astronomers develop a new laser-based technology called the green astro-comb to detect tiny Doppler shifts, helping identify habitable zone planets. The device will enable precise measurements of exoplanet gravity, allowing for better detection of rocky worlds like Earth.

SourceOptica·DateOct 14, 2014

Getting sharp images from dull detectors

Scientists at the Joint Quantum Institute use thermal light and cheap detectors to achieve sub-wavelength imaging, overcoming classical optical limitations. They observe an interference pattern with fringes as narrow as 30 nm, pushing the boundaries of extreme quantum coherence.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 10, 2014
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Nanoparticles break the symmetry of light

Physicists at Vienna University of Technology have developed an optical switch using spin-orbit coupling of light. By employing gold nanoparticles coupled to ultra-thin glass fibers, they can emit light into the fiber in a way that does not travel in both directions, but instead is directed either left or right.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 6, 2014

Quantum environmentalism

Scientists at the Cavendish Laboratory and Joint Quantum Institute create a new type of qubit control that leverages its surroundings to maintain quantum integrity. By harnessing the environment's magnetic field, they enable efficient manipulation and readout of quantum states, paving the way for quantum computing advancements.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 1, 2014

Entanglement made tangible

Researchers at EPFL propose a feasible experiment to show entanglement in the macroscopic realm, leveraging optomechanics and nanostructures. The experiment involves converting light into mechanical vibrations, which exhibit entangled behavior.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 30, 2014
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Ultrafast remote switching of light emission

Scientists have created a method to switch on and off the spontaneous emission of light by quantum dots at will, with pulses as short as 200 picoseconds. This technique has potential applications in quantum information transmission and control.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 30, 2014

Toward optical chips

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to build MoS2 light emitters that can be tuned to different frequencies, essential for optoelectronic chips. This breakthrough could lead to more energy-efficient and flexible displays.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 18, 2014

The shadow of a disease

Researchers developed an optical method called iSCAT to detect individual proteins, such as those in cancers, using scattered light shadows. The method promises more sensitive diagnoses and sheds light on fundamental biochemical processes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2014
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.

Atomically thin material opens door for integrated nanophotonic circuits

Researchers developed a basic model circuit combining silver nanowire and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) that efficiently guides electricity and light along the same wire. The material enables strong light emission and efficient energy transfer, promising to improve mobile technology performance and efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptica·DateSep 4, 2014

Single laser stops molecular tumbling motion instantly

Researchers cooled singly charged aluminum monohydride molecules from room temperature to 4 degrees Kelvin in a fraction of a second, stopping their rotation. This breakthrough technique could lead to new applications in ultracold quantum-controlled chemistry and fundamental constants testing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 2, 2014

Breakthrough in light sources for new quantum technology

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Niels Bohr Institute have successfully created a steady stream of photons emitted one at a time, enabling control over their direction. The breakthrough has significant implications for future quantum technologies, including encryption and complex calculations.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 29, 2014

Quantum physics enables revolutionary imaging method

Researchers develop new quantum imaging technique that captures images without detecting light used to illuminate the object, using entangled photon pairs. This breakthrough enables imaging in low-light conditions and has potential applications in biological and medical imaging.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2014
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Symphony of nanoplasmonic and optical resonators produces laser-like light emission

Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new optical amplifier design that combines plasmonics and optical microresonators to produce laser-like light emission. This breakthrough enables power-on-a-chip applications with improved speed performance and reduced energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 26, 2014

Laser device may end pin pricks, improve quality of life for diabetics

Researchers at Princeton University developed a laser-based method to measure blood sugar levels without needing frequent pricking. The technique uses mid-infrared light and is currently 84% accurate, with potential applications beyond glucose detection.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 21, 2014

Molecular engineers record an electron's quantum behavior

Researchers developed a technique to control and observe individual electrons in nanoscale defects, enabling the creation of quantum-state snapshots. This breakthrough contributes to quantum information processing and could accelerate development of quantum computing devices.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience·DateAug 14, 2014

NIST therapy for ultraviolet laser beams: Hydrogen-treated fibers

Researchers at NIST have created hydrogen-treated optical fibers that can transmit stable, high-power ultraviolet laser light for hundreds of hours. The fibers were infused with hydrogen gas and cured with ultraviolet light to reduce errors in logic operations in quantum computing experiments.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 11, 2014
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.

Light pulses control graphene's electrical behavior

Researchers at MIT have found a way to control graphene's electrical conductivity using extremely short light pulses. By modulating electron concentration, they can alter graphene's photoconductive properties from semiconductor-like to metallike behavior.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 1, 2014

Building 'invisible' materials with light

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have created a technique for building materials using light, allowing for the production of metamaterials that can control light interactions. This breakthrough has significant potential applications in sensing and military stealth technology.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 28, 2014

Quantum leap in lasers at Dartmouth brightens future for quantum computing

Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a breakthrough laser that uses an artificial atom to produce light, enabling the potential development of more powerful quantum computers. The new laser relies on superconducting electron pairs and has the ability to transmit information between quantum devices.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalPhysical Review B·DateJul 22, 2014

The Optical Society launches Optica

The Optical Society's new open-access journal Optica publishes highest-impact research in optics and photonics. Key findings include the development of self-cooling solar cells, observation of rotational Doppler shift in white light, and precision time measurement on a silicon chip.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Creating optical cables out of thin air

Scientists at the University of Maryland have successfully created air waveguides that can guide light beams over long distances without loss of power. This breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including long-range laser communications, pollution detection, and topographic mapping.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Enhanced NIST instrument enables high-speed chemical imaging of tissues

The new NIST technique uses broadband, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS) to create high-resolution images of biological specimens. It achieves signals that are 10,000 times stronger than spontaneous Raman scattering and 100 times stronger than comparable coherent Raman instruments.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 22, 2014

'Comb on a chip' powers new NIST/Caltech atomic clock design

Researchers from NIST and Caltech have created an atomic clock using a microcomb, enabling precise frequency control and conversion to microwave frequencies. The new design has the potential to be integrated into portable tools for calibrating telecommunications systems and improving radar navigation and scientific instruments.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptica·DateJul 22, 2014

Tiny laser sensor heightens bomb detection sensitivity

Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a tiny laser sensor that can detect minute concentrations of explosives, including pentaerythritol tetranitrate, an explosive favored by terrorists. The device has the potential to replace traditional bomb-screening methods and could also be used to detect unexploded land mines.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 20, 2014

Ultrafast X-ray laser sheds new light on fundamental ultrafast dynamics

Researchers used an ultrafast optical laser and X-ray pulses to study the movement of electrons between atoms in exploding molecules. They observed that electrons can jump over surprisingly long distances, up to 10 times the length of the original molecule, shedding new light on microscopic dynamics.

SourceKansas State University·JournalScience·DateJul 17, 2014
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.

'Nanocamera' takes pictures at distances smaller than light's own wavelength

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to record near-field optical information in nanoantennas, enabling the creation of optofluidic channels without walls. This technology has potential applications for optical data storage and other photonic applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 17, 2014

Flashes of light on the superconductor

Researchers induce pseudogap state in material and subject it to laser pulses, inducing a temporary metallic state. The study provides new insight into superconductors and offers the possibility of controlling their characteristics through laser light.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 14, 2014

Drone lighting

Researchers at MIT have created a drone lighting system that automatically assumes the right positions for photographic lighting effects. The system uses an autonomous helicopter to produce rim lighting, adjusting in real-time to capture delicate edge effects.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 11, 2014
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Projecting a 3-dimensional future

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new holography technology based on nanoantennas, enabling dynamic and complex three-dimensional projections without replotted images. The technology has vast applications in security, medical, recreational, and scientific research.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 9, 2014

'Nanojuice' could improve how doctors examine the gut

Researchers developed nanojuice to improve non-invasive gut imaging, providing real-time views of the small intestine. This technique may help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and other gastrointestinal illnesses.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 6, 2014

A million times better

Researchers at TUM and UT Austin developed nonlinear mirrors that reflect frequency-doubled output using input light intensity as small as a laser pointer. The new materials produce approximately one million times higher intensity of frequency-doubled output compared to traditional materials.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2014
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.

Hollow optical fibers for UV light

Researchers have developed a new type of optical fiber that can guide UV laser light without being damaged. The fiber has a hollow core with a diameter of 20 µm, which allows for single-mode transmission and reduces loss. This breakthrough enables new applications in precision spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and process plasmas.

SourcePhysikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)·JournalOptics Express·DateJul 2, 2014

Researchers invent 'meta mirror' to help advance nonlinear optical systems

Researchers at UT Austin have created a nonlinear metasurface that can reflect radiation at twice the input light frequency, producing approximately 1 million times larger frequency-doubled output. The new metamaterial has potential applications in advanced laser systems for chemical sensing and biomedical research.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature·DateJul 2, 2014

Not much force: Berkeley researchers detect smallest force ever measured

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California detected a force of approximately 42 yoctonewtons using a unique optical trapping system and ultracold atoms. The detection surpassed the Standard Quantum Limit, achieving sensitivity consistent with theoretical predictions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJun 26, 2014

KIT researchers protect the princess from the pea

KIT scientists create a volume in which an object can be hidden from touching, similar to a pea under the mattress of a princess. The mechanical invisibility cloak is based on a metamaterial structure that directs forces away from the object, making it invisible to touch.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 20, 2014
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Laser physics upside down

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a system of coupled lasers that exhibit paradoxical behavior. By adding or reducing energy, the lasers can switch each other on or off, making them suitable for building logical circuits using light.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2014

With light echoes, the invisible becomes visible

Researchers at the University of Bonn developed a novel camera system that can see around corners without mirrors, using diffusely reflected light to reconstruct object shapes. The system records time-resolved data from light echoes, which brings valuable information about object shape and appearance.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·DateJun 17, 2014

Strange physics turns off laser

Researchers at Princeton University have created a laser system that unexpectedly shuts off when more power is applied, offering new possibilities for controlling optical systems. This phenomenon is made possible by the careful distribution of energy loss within an overall system being amplified.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2014

A faster path to optical circuits

Researchers at EPFL create a novel method to design and optimize photonic crystal nanocavities, which can control the flow of light at the nanometer scale. The approach significantly speeds up the development of optical circuits, with quality factors exceeding one million.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 16, 2014

Chemical sensor on a chip

A new type of sensor has been developed at the Vienna University of Technology using miniaturized laser technology, allowing for the analysis of liquids and gases. The sensor can measure the composition of liquids with an accuracy of 0.06%, opening up potential applications in chemical, biological, and medical analytics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 11, 2014
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.

A new way to make laser-like beams using 250x less power

University of Michigan researchers have developed a polariton laser that can emit coherent light, works at room temperature, and requires significantly less power. The device is the most real-world ready of its kind and has potential applications in medical devices, treatments, and more.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 5, 2014

How NASA builds a space laser

The Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) will measure Earth's elevation with six beams, generating a more detailed portrait than the original ICESat. Scientists will track change, including melting glaciers and sea ice, using precise height measurements.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 3, 2014