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Seeing light in a new light

Researchers at Harvard University and MIT have successfully bound photons together to form a new type of matter, dubbed photonic molecules. This breakthrough challenges traditional understanding of light as massless particles that don't interact with each other.

Tiny antennas let long light waves see in infrared

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed nano-antennas that can detect molecules resonating in the infrared spectrum. The antennas concentrate long-wavelength light into ultra-subwavelength volumes, enhancing detection of small materials with standard IR spectrometers.

First laser-like X-ray light from a solid

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.

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.

Berlin researchers open a door for solid state physics

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.

'Groovy' hologram creates strange state of light

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 optically levitate a glowing, nanoscale diamond

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.

Bubbles are the new lenses for nanoscale light beams

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.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fast detector for a wide wavelength range

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.

Altering organic molecules' interaction with light

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...

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

The molecule 'scanner'

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.

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.

Taking the 'random' out of a random laser

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.

A new way to trap light

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.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Organic electronics: Imaging defects in solar cells

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.

Light and nanoprobes detect early signs of infection

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.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Cheap, color, holographic video

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.

Luminous bacterial proteins detect chemicals in water

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.

Quantum teleportation between atomic systems over long distances

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.

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.

Laser-brightened cirrus clouds

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.

A path to compact, robust sources for ultrashort laser pulses

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.

Innovation in spectroscopy could improve greenhouse gas detection

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

A new laser paradigm: An electrically injected polariton laser

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.

Quantum optics with microwaves

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.

Elucidating energy shifts in optical tweezers

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.

Dual-color lasers could lead to cheap and efficient LED lighting

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.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Germanium made laser compatible

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.

Tiny wireless device shines light on mouse brain, generating reward

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.

A step toward optical transistors?

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.

Moving cells with light holds medical promise

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.

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.

Light tsunami in a superconductor

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.

Simulations uncover obstacle to harnessing laser-driven fusion

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.

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.

NIST tests underscore potential hazards of green laser pointers

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.

Causing collapse

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.

'Metasurfaces' to usher in new optical technologies

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.

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.

New imaging device that is flexible, flat, and transparent

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.

Invisible tool enables new quantum experiments

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.

Peering into living cells -- without dye nor fluophore

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.

Stanford researcher sheds new light on the mysteries of spider silk

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.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Light-emitting triangles may have applications in optical technology

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.

Using single quantum dots to probe nanowires

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.

ASU scientists unravel the mysteries of spider silk

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.

NIST's 'nanotubes on a chip' may simplify optical power measurements

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.