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New depiction of light could boost telecommunications channels

Physicists at City College of New York develop a new way to map spiraling light, which can harness untapped data capacity in optical fibers. The Higher Order Poincaré Sphere model reduces complex light patterns to single equations, enabling novel physics and engineering efforts.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 25, 2011
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New nanostructured glass for imaging and recording

Scientists have created a new type of computer memory using nano-structured glass that can record and store data in a permanent form, revolutionizing medical imaging and material processing. The technology uses ultra-short laser pulses to imprint tiny dots in the glass, enabling precise imaging and manipulation.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 17, 2011

Quantum optical link sets new time records

Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have successfully maintained entanglement between two gas clouds of caesium atoms for up to an hour using controlled laser light. This breakthrough enables quantum communication and has potential applications in ultra-precise measurements, including studying human brain activity.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 17, 2011

Shooting light a curve

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have demonstrated a technique to control the curved trajectories of Airy beams in real-time, enabling fast-as-light communication systems and optoelectronic devices. This breakthrough uses plasmonic Airy beams to manipulate surface plasmon polaritons, opening doors to new technologies in nano-photonics, biol...

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 11, 2011

Light unlocks fragrance in laboratory

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a method to stabilize radicals, allowing for controlled release of fragrances. This breakthrough enables slow release of scents over time, useful for household products and medical applications.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·DateAug 8, 2011

Manipulating light at will

Researchers have created a novel metamaterial structure that can 'steer' second-harmonic light, allowing for unprecedented control over light manipulation. This breakthrough has significant implications for all-optical communications and could transform telecommunications technologies.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 1, 2011
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.

Physicists report progress in understanding high-temperature superconductors

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have made significant progress in explaining the unusual properties of high-temperature superconductors using a new theory. The theory, known as Extremely Correlated Fermi Liquids, shows remarkable agreement with experimental data from studies of high-temperature superconductors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

Scientists use 'optogenetics' to control reward-seeking behavior

Scientists have manipulated brain wiring responsible for reward-seeking behaviors using optogenetics, a technique that can tweak microcircuitry with millisecond precision. The study found that targeting the connection between the amygdala and nucleus accumbens may represent potential treatments for addiction and other neuropsychiatric ...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2011

Scientists shed light on the private lives of electrons

Researchers at Princeton University developed a laser technique to observe how electrons become entangled, shedding new light on the Kondo state and its potential applications in quantum computing. The study reveals fresh insights into the complex relationship between an isolated electron and its surroundings.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature·DateJun 29, 2011

Tiny ring laser accurately detects and counts nanoparticles

A tiny ring laser can detect and count individual nanoparticles with high accuracy, offering a breakthrough in sensing technology. The sensor's effective resolution limit is about one nanometer, making it orders of magnitude more sensitive than earlier passive resonators.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 27, 2011
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.

A quiet phase: NIST optical tools produce ultra-low-noise microwave signals

Physicists at NIST generated microwave signals with improved purity and stability using a new optical frequency comb-based system. The apparatus has the potential to improve signal stability and resolution in radar, communications, and navigation systems, as well as certain types of atomic clocks.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 27, 2011

Discovery of parathyroid glow promises to reduce endocrine surgery risk

Researchers at Vanderbilt University discovered that parathyroid glands emit a unique fluorescent signature in the near-infrared region, which can be used to identify them during endocrine surgery. This innovation has the potential to reduce the risk of damage to these tiny organs and their life-long effects on patients' health.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJun 20, 2011

Single GFP-expressing cell is basis of living laser device

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a living laser device using a single GFP-expressing cell, which can produce hundreds of pulses of laser light. The cellular device refocuses the light and induces emission of laser light at lower energy levels than required for solution-based devices.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 12, 2011

First-of-its-kind fluorescence map offers a new view of the world's land plants

Scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have produced groundbreaking global maps of land plant fluorescence, providing a more direct window into the inner workings of photosynthesis. The maps show sharp contrasts in plant fluorescence between seasons and demonstrate the feasibility of measuring fluorescence from space.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 6, 2011
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.

Paging Han Solo: Researchers find more efficient way to steer laser beams

Scientists from North Carolina State University have created a device that enables precise steering of laser beams without moving anything. The technology uses polarization gratings to redirect light and has various potential applications, including free space communication and LIDAR.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Optics·DateMay 2, 2011

Researchers create terahertz invisibility cloak

A team of researchers at Northwestern University has created a terahertz invisibility cloak that manipulates light to render objects invisible in the terahertz range. This design could have implications for biomedical research, security and communication.

SourceNorthwestern University·DateApr 27, 2011
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.

A less painful colonoscopy

Researchers at Tufts University have developed a device that can help reduce patient discomfort during colonoscopies by detecting and preventing 'looping' of the scope. The EFOST technology uses fiber optic bend sensors to create a visual image of the scope's position and shape, allowing doctors to make adjustments in real-time.

SourceTufts University·DateApr 27, 2011

Laser sparks revolution in internal combustion engines

Researchers have developed a new laser system that can ignite engine air-fuel mixtures more efficiently than traditional spark plugs. The laser system is made from ceramics and promises less pollution and greater fuel economy, but further testing is needed to make it commercially viable.

SourceOptica·DateApr 20, 2011
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.

Ultra-fast magnetic reversal observed

Researchers have discovered a new phenomenon that enables ultrafast magnetic reversal, which could lead to significantly faster data storage. The study found that certain atoms can reverse their magnetization in as little as 300 femtoseconds, making it possible for magnetic memory to operate at terahertz speeds.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature·DateApr 13, 2011

Better lasers for optical communications

Researchers at EPFL and EMPA developed a technique to improve control over laser parameters, including wavelength and polarization. This innovation boosts high-speed optical fiber communications with reduced errors, while also enabling energy-efficient lasers and precise spectroscopic applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNanoscale·DateApr 12, 2011

New device promises safer way to deliver powerful drugs

Researchers have developed a new drug delivery device that uses optical fibers to target specific areas of the body, reducing toxicity and side effects. The device is designed to deliver high-powered photosensitive chemicals directly to tumors or infected areas, potentially killing cancer cells and bacteria.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateApr 6, 2011
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.

Princeton engineers make breakthrough in ultra-sensitive sensor technology

Researchers developed a breakthrough sensor using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that boosts faint signals, allowing identification of substances based on reflected light color. The chip's design features uniform rows of tiny pillars made of metals and insulators, significantly boosting the Raman signal.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalOptics Express·DateMar 21, 2011

Self-administered light therapy may improve cognitive function after traumatic brain injury

A new study found that daily application of light therapy via LEDs on the forehead and scalp improved cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury. The treatment led to substantial improvements in memory, inhibition, and attention, enabling one patient to return to full-time work.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalPhotomedicine and Laser Surgery·DateMar 17, 2011
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

New kind of optical fiber developed

Researchers have developed a new class of optical fibers using zinc selenide, enabling more efficient light manipulation and transmission in the infrared spectrum. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical lasers, countermeasure lasers, and environmental monitoring.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 1, 2011
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.

Scientists build world's first anti-laser

The team built a functioning anti-laser called a coherent perfect absorber (CPA), which absorbs 99.4% of incoming light and could pave the way for novel technologies in optical computing and radiology.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateFeb 17, 2011

Ground-based lasers vie with satellites to map Earth's magnetic field

Physicists propose beaming laser at atmospheric sodium to measure global magnetic field, offering cheaper alternative to satellites. Ground-based measurements can avoid problems caused by satellite movement and electronic instrument effects.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 14, 2011

A guide star lets scientists see deep into human tissue

Scientists can now focus light to a controllable position within tissue, overcoming the challenges of scattering in biological tissues. This breakthrough technology uses an ultrasound guide star and time-reversal mirror to create high-resolution images of objects within tissue.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 11, 2011

Engineers grow nanolasers on silicon, pave way for on-chip photonics

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a method to grow nanolasers directly onto a silicon surface, enabling highly efficient silicon photonics. This breakthrough could lead to powerful biochemical sensors and faster microprocessors, as well as new applications in computing, communications, displays, and optical signal processing.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 6, 2011
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.

'Air laser' may sniff bombs, pollutants from a distance

Researchers at Princeton University developed an air laser that can detect hidden bombs, pollutants, and greenhouse gases from afar. The new technique uses an ultraviolet laser pulse to generate an entirely new beam of light that interacts with molecules in the air, providing a powerful tool for remote measurements.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 2011

City Tech research team casts light on asteroid deflection

A New York City College of Technology research team has developed a method to deflect asteroids using solar sail technology. The technique involves heating the surface of an asteroid to create a jet stream, which would alter its trajectory and potentially convert an Earth impact into a near miss.

SourceNew York City College of Technology·DateJan 28, 2011
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.

Sharply focused on neurons, light controls a worm's behavior

Researchers developed an optogenetic device to control the behavior of Caenorhabditis elegans worms using pulses of blue and green light. They successfully activated or inactivated specific neurons or muscle cells, turning the worm into a virtual biorobot.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 18, 2011

Fastest movie in the world recorded

Researchers at Helmholtz Association create ultrafast image sequences of nanostructures, enabling real-time observation of molecules and nanostructures. The breakthrough method uses X-ray pulses to capture images at femtosecond intervals, paving the way for new insights into fundamental processes in natural sciences.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 12, 2011
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.

The 'Spaser' heats up laser technology

Researchers developed a groundbreaking nano-laser called Spaser, which can be as small as needed to fuel future technologies. The device uses surface plasma waves, allowing it to operate at speeds 100 times greater than current devices.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateJan 12, 2011

Scientists take plasmon lasers out of deep freeze

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new technique that allows plasmon lasers to operate at room temperature. This achievement is a major step towards applications for plasmon lasers in single-molecule biodetectors, photonic circuits, and high-speed optical communication systems. The scientists were able to enhance the emission ...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 19, 2010

Iowa State, Ames Lab physicist developing, improving designer optical materials

Researchers at Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory are developing designer optical materials that can refract light in a negative angle, enabling control over light like semiconductors control electricity. These materials have the potential to create flat superlenses with superior resolution for biomedical applications.

SourceIowa State University·JournalScience·DateDec 16, 2010
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.

Making wafers faster by making features smaller

Researchers developed a new intense 13.5-nm light source using tin and lithium plasmas, which can reduce feature size by an order of magnitude, resolving the fundamental limit in semiconductor manufacturing. The technology has shown promising results, with tin plasmas producing twice as much emission as lithium plasmas.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 14, 2010

Rice researchers take molecule's temperature

Rice University researchers have developed a technique to measure the temperature of molecules using Raman spectroscopy and an optical antenna. They found that they could detect temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees in the molecules, which will be useful for the molecular electronics community.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 13, 2010

World's first microlaser emitting in 3-D

Researchers develop a microdroplet 3D laser system using cholesteric liquid crystals, producing the world's first practical three-dimensional laser. The design is small, tunable, cheap, and can be made by millions in seconds.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateDec 8, 2010

Tiny laser light show illuminates quantum computing

Researchers have developed a micromirror-based beam steering system that can precisely control individual atoms using tiny laser pulses. This technology has the potential to enable more efficient and accurate quantum computing applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 7, 2010
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Rotating light provides indirect look into the nucleus

Researchers have developed a new technique using rotating light to observe nuclei indirectly via orbiting electrons, providing complementary information to conventional NMR. This method uses Optical Faraday Rotation and can magnify the signal by creating a long optical path in a short tube.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateNov 30, 2010

Subsurface scattering in point-based rendering

A new framework for rendering subsurface scattering on surfaces represented by points is introduced, providing a significant improvement in transparency and realism for translucent materials. The method uses two additional computation passes to simulate the light diffusion phenomenon inside multilayered materials.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateNov 29, 2010
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.

Bonn physicists create a 'super-photon'

Physicists from the University of Bonn have developed a new source of light, a Bose-Einstein condensate consisting of photons. By cooling and concentrating Rubidium atoms, they created a 'super-photon' with characteristics resembling lasers.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateNov 24, 2010

New initiative to develop a system that controls prosthetic limbs naturally

A new $5.6 million initiative aims to create a system that controls prosthetic limbs naturally by sensing and stimulating nerve activity. The Vanderbilt team, in collaboration with SMU researchers, is developing a neurophotonics-based system that uses laser beams to stimulate sensory nerves and provide feedback to the brain.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateNov 17, 2010

All-optical transistor

Researchers at EPFL have discovered an all-optical transistor that controls the flow of light using a novel optical microresonator. The device enables a strong 'control' laser to turn on or off a weaker 'probe' laser, opening up new possibilities for telecommunications and photonics.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateNov 11, 2010

AFM positioning: Shining light on a needle in a haystack

Researchers use a tightly focused, low-power laser beam to optically scan the area and identify target locations by minute changes in scattered light. This technique solves the 'needle in a haystack' problem of nanoscale microscopy, finding nanoscale objects with precision.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 10, 2010