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Science begins at the world's most powerful X-ray laser

The Linac Coherent Light Source has embarked on pioneering research in physics, structural biology, energy science, chemistry, and more. Researchers have successfully observed atomic physics phenomena with unprecedented detail, creating stop-action movies of molecules in motion.

Researchers use trident laser to accelerate protons to record energies

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have achieved world-record energies in laser-accelerated particles, accelerating protons to 254 million miles per hour. The technique has potential applications in cancer treatment and is expected to contribute to future advances in modern cancer radiotherapy.

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.

An exquisite container

Researchers have developed a tiny, gold nanocage that responds to light and releases carefully titrated amounts of chemotherapy drugs at specific tissue sites. The system is designed to maximize the beneficial effects of the medication while minimizing side effects.

Scientists build first 'frequency comb' to display visible 'teeth'

Researchers at NIST and University of Konstanz create a frequency comb that can be visually observed, allowing for precise measurement of visible light frequencies. The new comb has approximately 50,000 distinct 'teeth' separated enough to be seen with the naked eye, enabling applications in astronomy, communications, and other fields.

Next-generation microcapsules deliver 'chemicals on demand'

Researchers have developed phototriggerable microcapsules that burst and release chemicals upon light exposure, opening doors for targeted medical treatments and various industrial uses. The innovation uses laser light to convert nanotubes into heat, bursting the nylon capsule and releasing its contents.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

Pushing the cold frontier in an orderly fashion

Researchers at two Italian universities create method to transfer entropy from potassium atoms to surrounding rubidium atoms, enabling control over ultra-cold matter. This breakthrough technique opens new possibilities for physics research at extremely low temperatures and entropies.

Diamonds are a laser's best friend

Researchers in Australia have developed the first efficient diamond Raman laser, achieving an efficiency of 63.5%, comparable to existing lasers built with other materials. This technology has potential applications in defense technologies, trace gas detectors, medical devices, and satellite mapping.

Portable and precise gas sensor could monitor pollution and detect disease

A team of Princeton and Rice University researchers has developed a new method to identify nitric oxide using lasers and sensors, making it possible for large-scale deployment. The device can detect tiny amounts of the gas in the air or human breath, monitoring pollution and detecting disease such as asthma.

Light at the speed of a bicycle and much more

Advances in optics and photonics are transforming our daily lives with innovations like optical fibers, lasers, and medical imaging techniques. Researchers are now exploring the potential of plasmonics to develop metamaterial-based invisibility cloaks and super-strength solar cells.

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.

Laser pulses control single electrons in complex molecules

Physicists and chemists have successfully controlled individual, negatively charged particles within a group of electrons in complex molecules. They used femtosecond laser pulses to manipulate the motion of outer electrons in carbon monoxide molecules.

New nanolaser key to future optical computers and technologies

Researchers at Purdue University have successfully created a nanolaser called spaser, which emits visible light and could revolutionize future technologies based on nanophotonic circuitry. The device overcomes the limitation of current lasers being too large to integrate into electronic chips.

Breaking barriers with nanoscale lasers

Researchers at Arizona State University and Technical University of Eindhoven have made a breakthrough in creating nanoscale lasers, which can improve computer performance and speed up Internet access. The new design uses a combination of semiconductors and metals to confine light and achieve a laser with the smallest thickness ever pr...

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.

NIST develops novel ion trap for sensing force and light

The NIST-developed stylus trap is a highly sensitive device that can sense small forces and transfer individual light particles with high efficiency. This technology has potential applications in quantum key cryptography, quantum computing, and surface characterization.

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.

Nanocrystals reveal activity within cells

Researchers have developed bio-friendly nanocrystals that act as individual investigators of activity within a cell. These nanocrystals can track proteins in real-time, allowing for the study of biomolecules one at a time. The breakthrough has significant implications for understanding complex biological systems.

Red giant star Betelgeuse is mysteriously shrinking

UC Berkeley researchers have found that Betelgeuse, the bright reddish star in the constellation Orion, has steadily shrunk over the past 15 years. The star's diameter has decreased by more than 15% since 1993, a change that is striking to observe.

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.

Scientists create metal that pumps liquid uphill

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a metal slab that can lift liquids using capillary action, moving them at speeds faster than nature. The metal's surface structure can be controlled to direct liquid flow or even create hydrophobic surfaces that prevent germ growth.

NIST's LIDAR may offer peerless precision in remote measurements

Researchers at NIST have developed a laser ranging system that can pinpoint objects with nanometer precision over distances up to 100 kilometers. The novel LIDAR system combines the best of two approaches and features rapid updates from multiple reference points simultaneously every 200 microseconds.

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 system for detection of single atoms

Researchers have developed a new technique to detect individual neutral atoms, which is more accurate and sensitive than previous methods. The system uses a novel means of altering laser light polarization to 'see' the scattered photons, allowing for real-time detection with a speed of less than one-millionth of a second.

Liquid lens creates tiny flexible laser on a chip

Researchers create Liquid-Gradient Refractive Index (L-GRIN) lenses using water and calcium chloride, enabling precise control over light direction. These fluidic lenses can be fabricated on chips and have potential applications in optical tweezers and medical imaging.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

New nanotube coating enables novel laser power meter

A new nanotube-coated power measurement device has been developed at NIST, enabling faster and more accurate calibration of high-power laser systems. The device uses a sprayed-on coating of carbon nanotubes to conduct heat hundreds of times better than conventional materials.

Catching the lightwave: Nano-mechanical sensors 'wired' by photonics

Yale researchers have demonstrated silicon-based nanocantilevers that operate on photonic principles, enabling ultra-sensitive measurements at the atomic level. The system can detect as little deflection as 0.0001 Angstroms, and a sensor multiplex format allows for complex measurements of patterns simultaneously.

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.

MIT: Making waves in the brain

Researchers at MIT have discovered a way to induce gamma brain waves by shining laser light onto the brains of mice, using optogenetics to manipulate individual nerve cells. This breakthrough provides new insights into the role of gamma oscillations in regulating brain functions and may lead to new treatments for brain-related disorders.

At the limits of the photoelectric effect

Researchers at PTB found that with xenon, a whole light-wave packet seems to knock out a huge number of internal electrons, dependent on material properties. This discovery challenges current models of the photoelectric effect and has significance for future experiments in materials research.

World's brightest X-ray machine comes online at SLAC

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) produces the world's brightest X-ray laser, allowing researchers to capture molecular details with unprecedented resolution. This technology has far-reaching implications for medicine, energy research, and other fields.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Scientists demonstrate laser with controlled polarization

Researchers at Harvard University have developed a laser technology that allows control over the polarization direction of emitted radiation. This innovation has vast implications for various applications, including satellite communications, biomolecule detection, and quantum cryptography.

McGill researchers squeeze light out of quantum dots

Researchers discovered a parasitic effect when powering quantum dot amplifiers and were able to overcome it, leading to the most efficient amplifier ever measured. This breakthrough has enormous potential significance for laser technology, telecommunications, and optical computing applications.

Making a point: Picoscale stability in a room-temperature AFM

Researchers at NIST and CU have developed a method to detect and monitor light reflected off the probe needle point, improving AFM stability under ambient conditions. This enables sensitive atomic-scale measurements at room temperature in liquids, with improved image quality and reduced drift.

Hollow gold nanospheres show promise for biomedical and other applications

Researchers at UCSC developed hollow gold nanospheres with strong, narrow, and tunable light absorption. These particles can target tumors for photothermal cancer therapy, killing cancer cells with near-infrared light irradiation. The ability to tune optical properties makes them highly versatile for various applications.

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.

Atomic fountain clocks are becoming still more stable

A new method developed at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) improves the stability of caesium fountain clocks by reducing measurement times and increasing accuracy. This is achieved through the use of a microwave oscillator stabilized with lasers, allowing for more precise frequency measurements.

Shifting sound to light may lead to better computer chips

Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have developed a new technique that converts high-frequency sound waves into light, allowing for more accurate characterization of semiconductor devices. This method has the potential to improve the manufacturing process for computer chips, LEDs, and transistors.

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.

Polarizers may enhance remote chemical detection

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a method to filter out interfering signals in LIBS, allowing for more accurate analysis of suspected bombs and other hazardous materials. By using polarizing filters, they improved sensitivity while reducing costs.

Engineers ride 'rogue' laser waves to build better light sources

Engineers at UCLA have successfully harnessed 'rogue' laser waves to produce brighter, more stable white light sources. The new technology reduces fluctuations by at least 90% and decreases energy needed by 25%. This breakthrough could pave the way for better clocks, faster cameras, and more powerful radar and communications technologies.

Cross-dressing rubidium may reveal clues for exotic computing

Scientists at NIST's JQI have successfully created ultracold rubidium atoms that exhibit cyclotron motions identical to charged particles in a magnetic field. This breakthrough has the potential to reveal clues for exotic computing and understanding of the fractional quantum Hall effect.

Laser-sculpted optical devices for future giant telescopes

New research demonstrates how laser-based techniques can create micron-sized light pathways in three dimensions, enabling the detection of faint light from extrasolar planets and galaxies. This technology has the potential to improve the sensitivity and precision of future telescopes, such as the planned European ELT.

Inner workings of photosynthesis revealed by powerful new laser technique

A new laser-based technique has unraveled some of the inner workings of photosynthesis by capturing instantaneous images of energy transport between electrons in molecules. This allows scientists to gain a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms involved, which is crucial for harnessing this process as an alternative energy source.

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.

Beaming new light on life

Physicists and chemists at the University of Utah developed a new method using silver nanoparticles to visualize internal structures in nearly opaque biological materials. The technique allows for the detection of fatigue in materials like carbon-fiber plastics used in aircraft, enabling regular inspections of fuselage integrity.

Targeted nanospheres find, penetrate, then fuel burning of melanoma

Researchers developed peptide-guided hollow gold spheres that target and penetrate melanoma cells, then kill them when exposed to near-infrared light. The nanospheres achieve an 8-fold increase in tumor destruction compared to untargeted nanoparticles, demonstrating potential for minimally invasive cancer treatment.

Super-resolution microscopy takes on a third dimension

Scientists have developed a new imaging technology that produces the best three-dimensional resolution ever seen with an optical microscope, allowing them to pinpoint fluorescent labels in all three dimensions. This breakthrough will help reveal how biomolecules organize themselves into cellular structures and signaling complexes.

Blue light destroys antibiotic-resistant staph infection

Researchers have discovered that blue light can effectively destroy two common strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a laboratory setting. The study found that high-dose photo-irradiation using 470-nm blue light was able to kill up to 90.4% of the bacteria, making it a promising potential treatment for MRSA i...

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.

Tiny lasers get a notch up

Researchers discovered that adding a small notch to the disk edge provides a single outlet for laser light to stream out, increasing the speed of computers and telecommunication networks. The optimal geometry and boundary pumping parameters can aid in designing better-collimated microlasers.

U of T chemistry discovery brings organic solar cells a step closer

Researchers at U of T have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to more efficient organic solar cells, medical imaging techniques, and flexible electronics. The team found that quantum effects can control the movement of energy through molecules, enabling faster and more effective light absorption.

MIT develops camera for the blind

The portable device is relatively inexpensive, replacing expensive diagnostic equipment with light-emitting diodes. It allows visually challenged individuals to access the Internet, view friends' faces, and express themselves through photography.