A University of Calgary research team has developed a new approach to enhance quantum-based secure communication systems, overcoming a major vulnerability that threatened the security of QKD-secured networks. The new protocol allows for secure key distribution over long distances without compromising secrecy.
Scientists at DESY's FLASH facility have successfully created an X-ray laser based on a solid, enabling the analysis of sensitive samples without destruction. The method utilizes the principle of stimulated emission to overcome the Auger process, which previously hindered the creation of compact X-ray lasers.
Researchers at Helmholtz Association's HZB have identified a new area of application for X-rays in solid state physics, leveraging nonlinear physical effects. They observed the interaction between soft X-rays and solids, enabling enhanced color analysis and structural properties correlation.
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Researchers at Harvard University have developed a nanostructured hologram that controls the intensity, phase, and polarization of light rays. This innovation enables the creation of radially polarized beams, which are crucial for high-resolution lithography and particle manipulation.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have successfully levitated nanodiamonds in free space using a technique called laser trapping. The experiment enables the measurement of photoluminescence from defects inside the diamonds, which could lead to breakthroughs in quantum information and computing.
Researchers use nanoplasmonics to modulate light on the nanometer scale, but controlling the beam's direction is challenging. A bubble lens overcomes this issue by reconfiguring its location, size, and shape to focus or deflect the light beam.
Researchers at HZDR and University of Regensburg have developed a fast and reliable detector for terahertz pulses using graphene. The detector can measure the arrival time of light pulses with high accuracy, covering a wide wavelength range from ultraviolet to far infrared.
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A Caltech team has engineered a miniature silicon system to produce squeezed light, a type of ultraquiet light useful for precise measurements. The system, which reduces quantum fluctuations, enables the creation of precision microsensors capable of beating standard limits set by quantum mechanics.
Researchers developed a fluorescent caffeine detector that lights up like a traffic light to indicate the amount of caffeine in drinks. The sensor can help prevent caffeine overdoses and is useful for detecting pollution in natural water systems.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new platform that enables dramatic manipulation of organic molecules' emission by suspending them on top of a carefully designed planar slab with a periodic array of holes. This platform has important implications for applications such as bio-imaging, bio-molecular detection and the development of o...
Researchers developed a detector that can chemically identify single molecules using terahertz radiation, enabling 'molecular imaging' at scales similar to airport screenings. The technology, featured in Nano Letters, has the potential for fundamental studies and practical applications.
Researchers have discovered a quantum unit of photon absorption, dubbed 'AQ', that is general to all 2D semiconductors. This discovery could lead to exotic new optoelectronic and photonic technologies.
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Researchers have successfully documented the atomic-level mechanism of oxide material switching, which occurs in two stages and proceeds in under a picosecond. This confirms that oxides can represent an exciting alternative to semi-conductors for faster, more energy-efficient electronics.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new method to measure the optical gain of MEH-PPV, a low-cost polymer that can amplify light. The new approach uses extremely short laser pulses, reducing thermal degradation and providing more accurate results.
Researchers detect single cancer marker protein and smaller molecules without labels, shattering previous records and advancing early disease diagnostics. The novel 'whispering gallery-mode biosensing' method enables real-time detection of proteins in blood serum within minutes.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a method to steer the radiation emitted by a random laser into a pre-determined direction. This breakthrough allows for the creation of a new type of light source with potentially useful applications.
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Physicists at NIST create high-Q resonators in a minute, significantly reducing production time. The technique enables the mass production of compact frequency combs for various applications.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new method to trap light that could find applications in lasers, solar cells, and fiber optics. The phenomenon involves destructive interference from waves of opposite phases, blocking certain wavelengths while allowing others to pass through.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have demonstrated recording and retrieval processes of five-dimensional digital data in nanostructured glass using femtosecond laser writing. The data storage allows for unprecedented parameters, including high data capacity and thermal stability.
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Researchers have developed a new method to visualize material defects in thin-film solar cells using laser light, enabling the direct mapping of defect distributions. This breakthrough could lead to improved material quality and more efficient energy production by reducing temporary traps for charge carriers.
A new laser system can analyze reflected infrared light to determine a target's chemical composition, improving military surveillance capabilities. This technology could also enhance full-body airport screening.
Researchers use silver-based nanoprobes that reflect distinct optical fingerprints when light is shined on infected samples, detecting specific genetic materials taken from human samples. This technique has the potential to provide fast and reliable information about patients at the point of care.
Researchers have achieved entanglement between light and an optical atomic coherence composed of interacting atoms in two different states, paving the way for functional multi-node quantum networks. The state-insensitive trap allowed the researchers to generate photons at a rate of 5,000 per second, enabling deterministic entanglement.
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Researchers at MIT's Media Lab have developed a new approach to generating holograms that could enable the creation of color holographic-video displays. The technique uses an optical chip, resembling a microscope slide, built for about $10, which can produce high-resolution video images up to 30 times per second.
Research by Jan Simek and team finds strategic placement of rock art to reveal a cosmological puzzle mapping the prehistoric people's universe. The 'upper world' features celestial bodies, while 'middle world' represents nature, and 'lower world' is associated with darkness and death.
Researchers have developed a color sensor method using luminous bacterial proteins to detect pharmaceutical residues and pollutants in water. The method uses a red and green fluorescent dye, with the dyes shining green when present and red when not present, making it suitable for detecting a wide range of substances.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen successfully teleported quantum information between two glass containers filled with billions of caesium gas atoms. The experiments demonstrated stable results every time, paving the way for future quantum communication networks.
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Researchers used laser light pulses to study aerosol and cloud processes in atmospheric conditions. The results show that high-intensity laser pulses can increase the number of ice particles in cirrus clouds by up to a factor of 100 within seconds, intensifying their optical density and making them appear brighter.
Researchers from the University of Louisville have developed new materials and production methods for commercially feasible quantum dot LEDs, increasing efficiency and color range. The innovative inkjet printing technique enables mass production, making these green lighting devices potentially affordable.
Researchers at TUM developed a new laser technology that produces compact, efficient ultrashort pulses. The technology uses a 'rainbow' buffer to reshape continuous wave output into short intense pulses, enabling applications in biomedical imaging, material processing, and communications.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new technique that allows for rapid scanning of atmospheric gases, enabling faster and more accurate detection of greenhouse gases. This innovation has the potential to improve climate science by combining high-accuracy measurements from various platforms.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have successfully developed a new type of laser that uses electricity instead of light, requiring significantly less energy to operate. The device produces a coherent beam of light and has potential applications in various fields, including optical communication and medical surgery.
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Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated nanoscale alloys that emit bright near-infrared light, which could be used for cancer detection and treatment. The findings have the potential to lead to new applications in health and energy fields.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully demonstrate the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect using microwave photons, showcasing a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. The experiment offers new possibilities for characterizing radiation sources and may lead to practical applications in quantum communication and information processing.
Physicists develop a guide to calculate energy level changes in atoms under optical tweezers' influence. Fictitious magnetic fields are shown to produce equivalent effects as real external fields.
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A new semiconductor device has been created that can emit two distinct colors, opening up the possibility of using LEDs universally for cheap and efficient lighting. The device is more energy efficient than traditional LEDs as it emits light in a narrower spectral line.
Researchers develop method to make germanium laser-compatible through high tensile strain, enabling faster data transfer via light. The new technique could increase computer performance and revolutionize computing chip design.
Researchers have developed a spray-on mixture of carbon nanotubes and ceramic that has unprecedented ability to resist damage while absorbing laser light. The composite absorbs 97.5% of the light and tolerates 15 kilowatts of laser power per square centimeter for 10 seconds.
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Scientists developed tiny devices containing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to activate brain cells with light. Using these devices, mice were taught to poke their noses through a hole in a maze, triggering the system to release dopamine and associate rewards, revealing potential for treating depression, anxiety, and addiction.
McGill researchers demonstrate ability to modulate light using laser-pulse inputs to manipulate quantum mechanical state of semiconductor nanocrystals. This breakthrough could lead to the development of optical transistors, which would enable faster and more efficient data processing in telecommunications networks.
Researchers at WashU Medicine successfully manipulate immune cells using light to move them towards a beam of light, holding potential for controlling insulin secretion or heart rate. The study uses genetic engineering techniques to introduce a light-sensitive protein into immune cells, enabling them to sense and respond to light signals.
A new camera system uses low-power infrared laser light to gather high-resolution, 3D information about objects from up to a kilometer away. The system resolves depth on the millimeter scale over long distances, making it suitable for imaging man-made targets such as moving vehicles.
Scientists have successfully controlled the flow of electrons within layers of a superconductor using terahertz flashes. This technique enables precise switching on and off of superconductivity, paving the way for new applications in information processing.
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For the first time, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have successfully enabled 'bulk' silicon to emit broad-spectrum, visible light. This breakthrough enables the use of elemental silicon in both electronic and photonic components, paving the way for more efficient and integrated devices.
New simulations uncover flaw in using hollow cones to guide energetic electrons to fuel pellets for laser-driven fusion. Researchers at Ohio State University found that thicker cones hinder the process due to neutralizing effect of free electrons in dense plasma.
A recent NIST test found that nearly 90% of green laser pointers and about 44% of red pointers tested were out of compliance with federal safety regulations. The tests also showed that many commercial laser pointers emit more visible power than allowed under the Code of Federal Regulations.
Researchers have enhanced the ability of MEH-PPV polymer to confine light by reducing energy thresholds for laser production. The 'sandwich' approach limits exposure to oxygen and prevents degradation due to photo-oxidation.
Weizmann Institute researchers found that measuring a single atom's spin can collapse its superposition into one state. By adjusting the polarization of the emitted photon, they demonstrate that observers can influence the spin collapse, suggesting an 'action-at-a-distance' effect.
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Researchers have developed metasurfaces that can manipulate and control light, enabling new optical technologies with applications in solar cells, computers, and telecommunications. The technology uses metamaterials to harness surface plasmons and reduce the size of photons, promising breakthroughs in nanophotonic devices.
The new device uses a polymer sheet with fluorescent particles to capture incoming light and channel it to an array of sensors. This allows for the creation of high-resolution images without any internal components or electronics. The technology has potential applications in user interface devices that can respond to gestures alone.
Scientists have developed wavelength-modulated Raman spectroscopy to overcome challenges in using the method in a clinical setting. The technique enables clean extraction of Raman signals even with high auto-fluorescence backgrounds and ambient light.
Researchers at the University of Vienna have developed a novel way to manipulate massive particles using nanosecond long flashes of laser light, enabling precise measurements of small forces and fields. This breakthrough allows for the investigation of quantum wave nature in both single molecules and clusters of molecules.
Researchers at EPFL have created a device that combines holographic microscopy and computational image processing to observe living biological tissues at the nanoscale. Three-dimensional images of living cells can be obtained in just a few minutes with an incredibly precise resolution of less than 100 nanometers.
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A Stanford researcher has developed a non-invasive technique to measure the mechanical properties of an intact spider web, revealing surprising variations in stiffness and supercontraction. The study provides insights into the behavior of nature's strongest material and its potential applications in engineering bio-inspired materials.
Researchers at Penn State have successfully created single layers of the rare mineral tungstenite, forming triangular structures that exhibit photoluminescent properties. These findings hold promise for various optical technologies, including light detection and laser technology.
Scientists use single quantum dots to excite plasmons in metal wires, creating precise images of electric field intensity with 12-nm accuracy. This technique enables new hybrid electronics by combining photonics and electronics for efficient sensing and processing.
Researchers have uncovered the elastic properties of spider silk, with variations among fibers, junctions, and glue spots. The findings provide a blueprint for structural engineering of strong, stretchy, and elastic materials.
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a novel chip-scale instrument using carbon nanotubes to measure laser power with high accuracy. The mini-radiometer achieves this by absorbing light over a broad range of wavelengths and converting it to heat, allowing for precise measurements.
Researchers at NIST have developed a way to predictably increase or decrease the intensity of quantum dot fluorescence by using DNA templates and controlling distances between gold nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables potential applications in photodetectors, chemical sensors, and nanoscale lasers.
Researchers developed a bio-inspired coating that enhances LED light extraction by up to 55 percent. The innovative design mimics the natural structure of firefly lanterns, which reduces internal reflections and allows more light to escape, ultimately making LEDs brighter while using less energy.