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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Plasma as a fast optical switch

Scientists have observed relativistic transparency in plasma, allowing it to act as a fast optical switch. This phenomenon enables the flow of light through previously opaque material in less than a tenth of a picosecond.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·DateNov 8, 2010

Light on silicon better than copper?

Duke University engineers have designed and demonstrated microscopically small lasers integrated with thin film-light guides on silicon that could replace copper in a host of electronic products. The new approach solves some of the unanswered riddles facing scientists trying to create and control light at such a miniscule scale.

SourceDuke University·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 21, 2010
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.

Treating cancer with light

Scientists at UC Irvine have designed a new device using spatial frequency domain imaging to image cancerous lesions and monitor the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for skin cancer. The device, which uses an array of LEDs, can provide detailed images of the biochemistry of tissue, enabling targeted treatment.

SourceOptica·DateOct 18, 2010

JILA unveils improved 'molecular fingerprinting' for trace gas detection

Scientists have developed an improved laser-based technique to detect traces of key molecules in a gas, including greenhouse gases and pollutants. The new technology can identify a wider variety of molecules with lower concentration levels than before, making it suitable for applications such as breath analysis and atmospheric monitoring.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 14, 2010

Queen's University discovery could impact how the body receives medicine

Researchers at Queen's University have discovered the molecular cooperation that enables light-controlled drug release and shape changes in glass and plastic. The findings could one day be used to facilitate medicinal drug distribution by allowing doctors to control the time and rate at which drugs are delivered into the body.

SourceQueen's University·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 7, 2010

A tracking device that fits on the head of a pin

Researchers have developed nano-sized optical gyroscopes that can fit on the head of a pin, improving rotation rates and accuracy in smartphones and medical equipment. These devices will enable enhanced tracking capabilities, including GPS system improvements and navigation for small capsules within the body.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalOptics Express·DateOct 5, 2010

Physicists break color barrier for sending, receiving photons

Researchers at the University of Oregon have invented a method to change the color of single photons in a fiber optic cable, enabling faster data transfer and more secure communication. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize quantum computing and internet security.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 29, 2010
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.

Sneaking spies into a cell's nucleus

Researchers have successfully slipped silver nanoparticles cloaked in HIV protein into the nucleus of cells, where they can detect subtle light signals and deliver payloads. This innovation has potential implications for disease treatment and basic scientific research.

SourceDuke University·JournalNanomedicine·DateSep 28, 2010

Nano antenna concentrates light

Researchers at Rice University have developed a nano antenna that can concentrate light by a factor of 1,000. By measuring the electrical current flowing between two gold tips separated by a nanoscale gap, they were able to determine the amplification of light intensity in the gap.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 20, 2010

Random numbers game with quantum dice

Researchers at Max Planck Institute for Physics of Light create device generating true random numbers using vacuum fluctuations, crucial for secure encryption and economic simulations. The device exploits quantum mechanics' inherent randomness to produce unpredictable outcomes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 9, 2010

Laser-based missile defense for helicopters being developed

Researchers have created a new mid-infrared supercontinuum laser that can blind heat-seeking missiles from a distance of 1.8 miles away, providing a promising solution for helicopter protection in combat zones. The technology is being commercialized through Omni Sciences, Inc., which has received $1 million in grants from the Army and ...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateSep 2, 2010
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.

NIST sensor measures yoctonewton forces fast

Physicists at NIST developed a new sensor to detect forces at the scale of yoctonewtons using trapped ions. The sensor achieved a measurement speed of 390 yoctonewtons in one second, outperforming previous records by an order of magnitude.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateSep 1, 2010

NIST researchers create 'quantum cats' made of light

Researchers at NIST have created an optical Schrödinger's cat by detecting three photons simultaneously, a state predicted in quantum optics for years. This achievement enhances prospects for manipulating light to improve measurement techniques and contribute to quantum computing and communications.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review A·DateSep 1, 2010

Extreme darkness: Carbon nanotube forest covers NIST's ultra-dark detector

Researchers at NIST create a laser power detector coated with the world's darkest material, a forest of carbon nanotubes that reflects almost no light. The new detector will be used for precision measurements in advanced technologies like optical communications and solar energy conversion.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateAug 18, 2010
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.

Purple light means go, ultraviolet light means stop

Researchers at University of Rochester developed a unique light-controlled membrane that can block gas flow when ultraviolet light is applied and allow it to flow when purple light is used. This innovation has potential applications in controlled drug delivery and industrial processing tasks.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·DateAug 1, 2010

Some like it hot: How to heat a 'nano bathtub' the JILA way

JILA's technique uses infrared laser light to quickly and precisely heat 'nano bathtubs'—tiny sample containers—for microscopy studies of single molecules and nanoparticles. The new method enables fast, noncontact heating of very small samples, enabling new experiments with single molecules.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJul 30, 2010

Engineered coral pigment helps scientists to observe protein movement

Scientists have engineered a variant of fluorescent protein from reef coral to observe protein movement in live cells. The newly created mIrisFP has excellent properties as a genetically encoded marker protein, enabling the study of dynamical processes within live cells at high spatial resolution.

SourceNational Oceanography Centre, UK·JournalNature Methods·DateJul 27, 2010

Highest X-ray energy used to probe materials

Researchers used an XFEL to probe nitrogen gas at up to 8 keV, a record-high X-ray energy. The study revealed the interaction between nitrogen gas and the XFEL beam, including electron dynamics and space charge effects. Understanding these dynamics will change our understanding of chemistry, physics, and materials science.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 22, 2010
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Nano-sized light mill drives micro-sized disk

Researchers have created a nano-sized light mill motor that can control rotational speed and direction by tuning incident light waves. The motor's power density is high, and it can be used to drive micro-scale objects, enabling new applications in nanotechnology and biology.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 6, 2010

Electrons are late starters

Scientists measure delay of tens of attoseconds between light pulse and electron emission, challenging existing models. The findings have important implications for simulating electronic properties of materials.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJun 30, 2010
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.

Delayed time zero in photoemission

Researchers used ultra-short time measurement technology to test the assumption that electrons leave atoms immediately after photon impact. They found a small but measurable time delay of about twenty attoseconds, indicating electrons 'hesitate' before leaving.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalScience·DateJun 24, 2010

Fly cells flock together, follow the light

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine used a laser beam to activate a protein that makes a cluster of fruit fly cells behave like a school of fish, following the lead of one stimulated with light. This study holds potential importance for understanding embryonic development and tumor metastasis.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 18, 2010

Shining a light around corners

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a way to control the curvature of Airy beams, which can be used to sort molecules according to size or quality. This technology has immediate applications in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 16, 2010

NIST/JILA 'Dark Pulse Laser' produces bursts of ... almost nothing

Researchers at NIST and JILA developed a new type of pulsed laser that excels at not producing light, generating sustained streams of dark pulses. These ultrashort pulses are suitable for measurements on short timescales and may be useful in signal processing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateJun 9, 2010

Chaotic laser brings out higher precision OTDR

A new concept of optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) based on a chaotic light correlation method has been developed, achieving distance-independent resolutions of up to 25 km. This technique uses broadband chaotic light generated from a laser diode to improve the accuracy of fiber fault location.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Information Sciences·DateJun 3, 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.

First X-ray laser's early success brings approval for next-phase facility

The US Department of Energy has granted approval for the second X-ray laser facility at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, building on the success of the first hard X-ray laser. The new facility will provide improved control over the X-ray beam and enable multiple research groups to work simultaneously.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·DateMay 5, 2010
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.

A little less force: Making atomic force microscopy work for cells

Researchers have created nanoscale cantilevers that can image individual proteins as they function on cell surfaces without causing damage. The new detection mechanism enables high-resolution imaging in a liquid environment, paving the way for studying biological systems and complex nanostructures.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 20, 2010

Lost light from the moon may be sent astray by dusty reflectors

Researchers investigating lunar reflector performance report decreased signal strength during full moon, suggesting dust may be a culprit. The issue arises from uneven heating of glass cubes left behind by Apollo astronauts, which distorts the shape of reflected laser pulses.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIcarus·DateApr 14, 2010

Bomb scares: An ODD solution

The Optical Dynamic Detection (ODD) solution uses precise laser pulses to detect explosive materials, providing greater accuracy than spectroscopy-based methods. By amplifying return signals and reducing background noise, ODD helps identify threats more effectively.

SourceUS Department of Homeland Security - Science and Technology·DateApr 8, 2010
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.

Combing a qubit

Physicists at the University of Maryland have developed a novel approach to manipulate quantum bits using an optical frequency comb. The technique allows for the creation of coherent pairs of frequencies, reducing the need for physically adjusting components and increasing the versatility of qubit manipulation.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 5, 2010

Engineers turn noise into vision

Princeton engineers developed a technique to clarify images using rays of light scattered by clouds, human tissue, or murky water. The method, known as stochastic resonance, can potentially improve signal technologies such as sonograms, radar systems, and night vision goggles.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 2, 2010

From a classical laser to a 'quantum laser'

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck successfully created a single-atom laser, demonstrating both classical and quantum mechanical properties. The experiment showed that by tuning the coupling between the atom and cavity mode, stimulated emission could be achieved despite the atom's weak amplification ability.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 31, 2010
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 predilection for certain symmetries

Materials with 7-fold rotation symmetry have not yet been observed in nature, but researchers have discovered the reason why. The density of flower-shaped nuclei plays a crucial role in determining the rotation symmetry of colloidal particles, explaining why materials with certain symmetries are rare in nature.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 30, 2010

Tiny gold probes give scientists a sense of how disease develops

Researchers developed tiny gold-coated particles that can be implanted into cells, enabling remote disease diagnosis and tracking through laser-induced vibrations of proteins. These probes use different vibrational frequencies to detect disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalChemical Communications·DateMar 28, 2010

Light controls matter, matter controls X-rays

Researchers successfully controlled x-ray pulses using laser light, enabling new possibilities for quantum information storage and processing. This breakthrough has the potential to shape x-ray pulses on a femtosecond time scale.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Physics·DateMar 24, 2010

Laser security for the Internet

Dr. Jacob Scheuer's new invention transmits binary lock-and-key information in light pulses, ensuring secure communication without eavesdropping. The system uses a special laser to send different signals that can be distinguished by the sender and receiver but appear identical to an attacker.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·DateMar 23, 2010

Engineers: Weak laser can ignite nanoparticles, with exciting possibilities

Researchers at the University of Florida have successfully ignited nanoparticles using a weak laser, with potential applications in cancer treatment, explosives, and precise lithography. The discovery could lead to more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies in various industries.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 18, 2010
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.

NPL makes light work of home grooming

Home-use IPL systems emit lower fluence rates and have physical safety features to minimize optical hazard. NPL's research confirms their safety, building on earlier work on dosimetry needs for salon-based devices.

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·JournalLasers in Surgery and Medicine·DateMar 1, 2010

New device for ultrafast optical communications

The device can measure a high capacity waveform up to 10,000 times faster than existing technologies, overcoming limitations of amplitude and phase measurement. This enables the packing of more information into optical signals, paving the way for ultra-high-speed communications and LiDAR systems.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 1, 2010

Quantum leap for phonon lasers

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing practical phonon lasers, which could enable new medical imaging devices and precision measurement tools. Two separate teams, one in the US and the UK, have reported advancements in phonon laser development, using different approaches to overcome technical challenges.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 21, 2010
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.

Using gold nanoparticles to hit cancer where it hurts

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a system using gold nanoparticles that can kill cancer cells by targeting their nuclei, preventing cell division and inducing apoptosis. This breakthrough offers a promising treatment for cancers in areas inaccessible to traditional laser-based therapies.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 15, 2010

Physicists play Lego with photons

Researchers at the University of Calgary have successfully stacked up to two photons on top of one another using quantum entanglement, enabling the creation of various quantum states of light. This achievement brings physicists closer to developing new capabilities in measurement instruments, computers, and secure communication systems.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNature Photonics·DateFeb 14, 2010

MIT researchers build first germanium laser

Researchers at MIT have successfully built a germanium laser that can emit wavelengths useful for optical communications. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of light-based computers that could process data more efficiently than current electrical systems.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalOptics Letters·DateFeb 4, 2010
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

How 'random' lasers work

Researchers at the University of Utah have found that natural cavities in polymers can act like mirrors in light-emitting materials, generating 'random' lasers. This discovery could lead to new applications in cancer diagnosis and other fields.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 24, 2010

Tying light in knots

A team of physicists from Bristol, Glasgow and Southampton universities have successfully created knots in optical vortices using holograms designed with knot theory. This new research demonstrates the physical application of an abstract branch of mathematics previously considered impossible to apply.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Physics·DateJan 17, 2010

New quantum cascade lasers emit more light than heat

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed compact mid-infrared laser diodes that generate more light than heat, achieving efficiencies of 53 percent. This breakthrough paves the way for applications such as remote sensing and hazardous chemical detection.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 11, 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.

MIT neuroengineers silence brain cells with multiple colors of light

Neuroscientists at MIT have developed a powerful new class of tools that can reversibly shut down brain activity using different colors of light. These 'super silencers' exert exquisite control over the timing of shutdown, allowing researchers to study neural circuits and potentially treat disorders such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and ...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJan 6, 2010

Tiny whispering gallery

Researchers at Washington University have developed a sensor that can detect and measure single nanoparticles using an ultra-high-Q microresonator. The sensor exploits the phenomenon of whispering-gallery mode resonance, where the light wave interacts with the particle on the ring's surface.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 18, 2009

Scientists demonstrate multibeam, multi-functional lasers

Researchers from Harvard University and their international team have developed compact, multibeam lasers that can emit multiple wavelengths in the infrared spectrum. This adaptable technology has potential use in applications such as remote chemical sensing, optical wireless, and interferometry.

SourceHarvard University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 30, 2009
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.