Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Measuring blood sugar with light

Researchers have developed a novel, non-invasive method to measure blood sugar levels using photoacoustic spectroscopy and infrared laser light. The technology has the potential to make diabetes management easier and more reliable without pricking or using test strips.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 25, 2013

Persuading light to mix it up with matter

MIT researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough by coupling photons and electrons in a topological insulator material for the first time. This novel approach enables the creation of materials whose electronic properties can be 'tuned' in real-time using precise laser beams.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 24, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Force to be reckoned with: NIST measures laser power with portable scale

Researchers at NIST developed a novel method for measuring laser power by reflecting light off a mirrored scale, simplifying calibration and enabling on-site measurements. The technique enables accurate and fast measurement of high-power lasers with reduced costs.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 23, 2013

Uniformity: The secret of better fusion ignition

Theoretical physicists use numerical simulations to analyze the uniformity of irradiation at thermonuclear fusion reaction, with potential applications to the Orion facility's high-power laser beams. The approach demonstrates a reduction in non-uniformity by 50% and 35% for elliptical and circular intensity profiles respectively.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 11, 2013

Ultraviolet light to the extreme

Researchers have mapped and modeled EUV emission from a droplet-based plasma, uncovering a previously untapped source of extreme ultraviolet light. This discovery could improve the efficiency of semiconductor lithography, enabling the creation of smaller and more complex integrated circuits.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 4, 2013

Naked jets of water make a better pollutant detector

Researchers developed a pollutant detector using a narrow stream of unconfined water, which acts as a waveguide to channel fluorescent light signals. The device was highly sensitive, detecting pollutant levels even lower than EPA standards and distinguishing between harmless and hazardous bacteria.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 3, 2013
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.

Bright, laser-based lighting devices

Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara, have devised a new method for creating high-power white light using a laser diode in combination with inorganic phosphors. The resulting lighting options are high in efficiency and have been shown to achieve a luminous flux comparable to current high-brightness white LEDs.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateSep 27, 2013

Scientists rig hospital-grade lightweight blood flow imager on the cheap

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a biological imaging system that can track blood flow in the lab and clinic using a webcam and laser pointer. The new system is significantly cheaper than existing equipment and has potential applications for imaging changes in tissues, including those outside the lab.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateSep 26, 2013

Spirals of light may lead to better electronics

Researchers at Caltech developed a miniature chip-based resonator that stabilizes electrical currents and optical signals, paving the way for improvements in communications, navigation, and remote sensing. The new technology uses an Archimedean spiral to minimize energy surges and improve frequency stability.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2013

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 25, 2013

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.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateSep 25, 2013
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.

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.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·DateAug 22, 2013

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateAug 21, 2013

'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.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 20, 2013
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 12, 2013

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 9, 2013

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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 8, 2013

Caltech team produces squeezed light using a silicon micromechanical system

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.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateAug 7, 2013
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.

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...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2013

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 5, 2013
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Researchers get better metrics on laser potential of key material

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 25, 2013

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.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 15, 2013
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.

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 10, 2013

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.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 27, 2013
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.

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.

SourceDuke University·JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta·DateJun 20, 2013

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 19, 2013

Researchers report first entanglement between light and an optical atomic coherence

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.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJun 19, 2013
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.

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·DateJun 12, 2013

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.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 6, 2013

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 5, 2013
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.

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.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2013

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 15, 2013

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 15, 2013
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.

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.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMay 8, 2013

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 8, 2013

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.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSemiconductor Science and Technology·DateMay 2, 2013
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.

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 22, 2013

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalScience·DateApr 11, 2013

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.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 9, 2013

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.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 8, 2013
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

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.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Materials·DateApr 3, 2013

Penn engineers enable 'bulk' silicon to emit visible light for the first time

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.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 27, 2013

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.

SourceOhio Supercomputer Center·JournalPhysical Review E·DateMar 26, 2013
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Laser Applications·DateMar 20, 2013

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.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateMar 18, 2013