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Plasmonic whispering gallery microcavity paves the way to future nanolasers

Researchers at Berkeley Lab and Cal Tech have created a high-Q surface-plasmon-polariton whispering-gallery microcavity, enabling ultra-small device fabrication and strong light enhancement. This innovation paves the way for future nanolasers with applications in photonics and optical microchips.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2009

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.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 22, 2009

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.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalScience·DateJan 15, 2009

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJan 13, 2009
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Princeton researchers discover new type of laser

A Princeton-led team discovered a new mechanism for making electronic materials emit laser beams, potentially leading to more efficient lasers with applications in environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. The new laser phenomenon has some interesting features, including reduced photon absorption and improved performance.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 22, 2008

'The photon force is with us': Harnessing light to drive nanomachines

Researchers at Yale University have demonstrated a marriage of nanophotonics and nanomechanics, enabling extreme miniaturization of optics and mechanics on silicon chips. The photon force is strong enough to operate nanoscale machinery, paving the way for ultra-high speed and low power telecommunications.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateNov 26, 2008
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.

'Enlightened' atoms stage nano-riot againsts uniformity

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that certain atoms can move apart and rejoin together under specific conditions, creating a phenomenon known as a 'nano-riot'. This behavior can be controlled using laser light, enabling the creation of tiny computer components with reduced heat emissions.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 17, 2008

Gold nanostar shape of the future

Researchers at Duke University discovered that gold nanostars can dramatically enhance the reflected light, making them useful as tracers, labels, or contrast agents. The size and shape of the nanostars affect the spectrum of reflected light, allowing for 'tuning' to identify specific molecules or chemicals.

SourceDuke University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2008

Cosmic eye sheds light on early galaxy formation

Researchers at Durham University and Caltech used gravitational lensing to study a young star-forming galaxy in the distant Universe, revealing its internal velocity structure and spiral disk. The findings provide insight into how the galaxy evolved into a present-day system like our Milky Way.

SourceDurham University·JournalNature·DateOct 8, 2008
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.

Flexi display technology is now

Researchers from Sony and Max Planck Institute demonstrate bendable optically assessed organic light emitting displays for the first time. The new technology enables flexible computers, televisions, posters, and newspaper display technology, offering advantages over traditional projection displays and TVs.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateOct 2, 2008

A fine-tooth comb to measure the accelerating universe

The new calibration system uses a Nobel Prize-winning technology to create an extremely precise 'ruler' for spectrographs. This will enable astronomers to accurately measure the velocities of stars and galaxies, search for planets around other stars, and study the expansion of the Universe.

SourceESO·JournalScience·DateSep 4, 2008

Skipping atomic-scale stones to study some chemistry basics

Researchers at NIST study gas-liquid interactions using powerful lasers, observing the rotational dynamics of a molecule bouncing off a liquid surface. They found molecules tend to tumble forward with a 'top spin' motion.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 6, 2008

The brightest, sharpest, fastest X-ray holograms yet

An international team produced two of the brightest, sharpest x-ray holograms of microscopic objects ever made, with resolutions of up to 50 nanometers. The technique used is called massively parallel x-ray Fourier-transform holography with 'coded apertures', inspired by the pinhole camera.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 1, 2008

New technique to compress light could open doors for optical communications

Scientists at UC Berkeley have developed a way to confine light in incredibly small spaces, potentially leading to breakthroughs in optical communications, miniature lasers and optical computing. The technique could give remarkable control over light, allowing for the creation of compact optical transistors.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 30, 2008
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.

Scientists demonstrate highly directional semiconductor lasers

Researchers at Harvard University developed a plasmonic collimator that reduces beam divergence by 25 times, enabling applications in photonics and communications. The innovation opens doors to edge-emitting and surface-emitting semiconductor lasers operating at various wavelengths.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 27, 2008

Advance brings low-cost, bright LED lighting closer to reality

The new silicon-based LED research has the potential to replace all incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs, offering dramatic energy and environmental benefits. The Purdue team's breakthrough allows for efficient production on low-cost metal-coated silicon wafers, reducing costs by up to 20 times.

SourcePurdue University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 17, 2008

MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy

A new solar concentrator design developed by MIT engineers could significantly increase the efficiency of solar panels and reduce their costs. By using a mixture of dyes to concentrate sunlight, the system can boost electrical power obtained from each solar cell by a factor of over 40.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJul 10, 2008

UC San Diego researchers enhance lithography light sources

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed laser-produced light sources for next generation Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL), which could make the process more efficient, simpler, and cheaper. This breakthrough may lead to advancements in flash memory chips, enabling denser and faster storage.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 9, 2008

Bacterial resistance is futile against wound-cleaning laser

A new laser-powered treatment has been shown to kill a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, without causing significant heat damage. The treatment uses indocyanine green dye activated by near-infrared light, which penetrates deep wounds and increases the area cleansed.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Microbiology·DateJun 30, 2008
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.

Laser surgery probe targets individual cancer cells

Mechanical engineering Professor Adela Ben-Yakar has developed a laser microscalpel that targets individual cancer cells in 3D without damaging surrounding cells. The device uses femtosecond lasers to sear targeted cells quickly and accurately, potentially revolutionizing surgeries for cancer, epilepsy, and other diseases.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalOptics Express·DateJun 24, 2008

Trap and zap: Harnessing the power of light to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale

Researchers at Princeton University have invented a technique to pattern surfaces on the nanoscale using lasers and plastic beads. The method enables the creation of ultrasmall features, such as lines and dots, that are 1,000 times narrower than a human hair, with potential applications in biology, medicine, and computing.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 18, 2008

Montana State University grad students earn prestigious NASA fellowships

Two Montana State University graduate students, David Hoffman and Amin Nehrir, have been awarded prestigious $30,000 NASA fellowships for their research on lidar technology. They will work with top scientists at NASA's Langley Research Center, developing instruments to study the climate and atmospheric science.

SourceMontana State University·DateJun 13, 2008
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Physicists produce quantum-entangled images

Researchers produce 'quantum images' pairs of information-rich patterns whose features are entangled by quantum physics, offering improved detection and amplification of light beams. The technique may also enable storing data in quantum computers and transmitting encrypted information.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateJun 12, 2008

New unifying theory of lasers advanced by physicists

Researchers developed a new set of non-linear equations that fit both conventional and non-conventional lasers, predicting important properties from simple inputs. This unifying theory solves the long-standing problem in laser physics, providing a substantially broader perspective on laser structures.

SourceYale University·JournalScience·DateMay 27, 2008

LIDAR imaging detector could build 'super road maps' of planets and moons

Researchers at RIT's RIDL create a new type of LIDAR detector that can build high-resolution topography and atmospheric property measurements. The device will extend NASA science capabilities for planetary applications, enabling robots and astronauts to navigate and explore celestial bodies with greater accuracy.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateMay 15, 2008

TU Delft demonstrates for the first time how light squeezes through small holes

Researchers at TU Delft have mapped the process of light passing through small holes, promising a significant improvement in Terahertz microscopy and microspectroscopy. The study confirms the Bouwkamp model and reveals that sufficient light can pass through even tiny holes, enabling measurements near the hole.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 8, 2008
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.

New technique measures ultrashort laser pulses at focus

Researchers developed a device to measure complex ultrashort light pulses in space and time at the focus of lenses, addressing distortions caused by optical components. The SEA TADPOLE system uses interferometry to determine pulse shape and intensity changes in space and time, enabling accurate correction for aberrations.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology Research News·JournalOptics Express·DateMay 8, 2008

Laser triggers electrical activity in thunderstorm for the first time

Researchers successfully triggered electrical activity in thunderclouds by aiming laser light at them, generating plasma filaments that conducted electricity. The technology has potential applications in studying lightning strikes and evaluating the sensitivity of airplanes and critical infrastructure.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 14, 2008

Stanford researchers develop tool that 'sees' internal body details 1,000 times smaller

A team of Stanford University School of Medicine researchers has developed a new type of imaging system using Raman spectroscopy to illuminate tumors in living subjects. The technique allows for the detection of multiple molecular targets simultaneously, enabling finer biochemical details and more precise imaging.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 31, 2008
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.

NIST 'quantum logic clock' rivals mercury ion as world's most accurate clock

The NIST quantum logic clock uses an aluminum atom to apply computer logic to the quantum world, rivaling the mercury ion's accuracy and offering a new approach to measuring fundamental constants. The clocks were compared with record precision, allowing scientists to measure their relative frequencies to 17 digits.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateMar 6, 2008

Physics breakthrough much ado about 'nothing'

Researchers at the University of Calgary have successfully stored and retrieved a special type of vacuum, known as a squeezed vacuum, using rubidium atoms. This breakthrough has significant implications for quantum computing and information exchange, enabling the creation of ultra-secure codes for transmitting sensitive information.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 5, 2008

Electron filmed for first time ever

Scientists at Lund University have successfully filmed an electron for the first time, capturing its motion on a light wave after being pulled away from an atom. The research uses attosecond pulses to study electron collisions with atoms, providing new opportunities to monitor and understand electron behavior.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 22, 2008

Optical 'frequency comb' can detect the breath of disease

Researchers developed an optical technique using 'frequency combs' to detect biomarkers for diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The method simultaneously identifies tiny amounts of molecules in the breath with high precision.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 19, 2008
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.

Scientists using laser light to detect potential diseases via breath samples, says new study

Researchers from NIST and CU-Boulder have developed a technique using optical frequency comb spectroscopy to detect molecules in breath that may be markers for diseases like asthma or cancer. The technique can identify thousands of different molecules simultaneously, providing highly reliable information about various diseases.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 18, 2008

Laser light may be able to detect diseases on the breath

Researchers have created a new technique using laser light to analyze breath samples, detecting biomarkers for diseases like asthma and cancer. This non-invasive method could provide rapid and reliable health screenings, addressing existing limitations in breath analysis.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 18, 2008

Michigan laser beam believed to set record for intensity

A new laser beam made in a University of Michigan laboratory has set a record for intensity, measuring 20 billion trillion watts per square centimeter. The intense beam could help scientists develop better proton and electron beams for radiation treatment of cancer and explore new frontiers in science.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalOptics Express·DateFeb 15, 2008
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.

Collaboration helps make JILA strontium atomic clock 'best in class'

Physicists at JILA demonstrate a next-generation atomic clock based on thousands of strontium atoms trapped in laser light grids, surpassing the current U.S. time standard by over 200 million years. The clock's precision enables synchronization of telecom networks and deep-space communications.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateFeb 14, 2008

'Smart' holograms help patients help themselves

Smart holograms can detect changes in blood-glucose levels, adrenaline levels, and other chemical imbalances, enabling patients to monitor their health more effectively. This new technology has wide applicability in various fields, including diabetes management, security, and smart packaging systems.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateFeb 4, 2008

Researchers create gold aluminum, black platinum, blue silver

Using a tabletop laser, researchers have successfully transformed pure metals into various colors, including gold, aluminum, black platinum, and blue silver. The process involves creating nanostructures on metal surfaces that selectively reflect specific colors.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 31, 2008
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.

JILA solves problem of quantum dot 'blinking'

Scientists at JILA have found a way to suppress the 'blinking' issue in quantum dots, increasing their photon emission rate four- to fivefold. By using an antioxidant chemical solution, they reduced the average time delay between excitation and photon emission from 21 nanoseconds to 4 nanoseconds.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 23, 2008

Discovery cuts cost of next generation optical fibers

Scientists have developed a new method to produce hollow-core optical fibres, which could lead to faster and more powerful computing and telecommunications technologies. The breakthrough reduces production time from around a week to just one day, making the fibre superior in virtually every respect to previous versions.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalOptics Express·DateJan 17, 2008

Reversible data transfers from light to sound

A team of researchers at Duke University has successfully transferred encoded information from a laser beam to sound waves and back again, opening the door for ultra-fast optical communications networks. The new method uses stimulated Brillouin scattering to create acoustic vibrations that can retain data for brief intervals.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience·DateDec 13, 2007

Ultrafast optical shutter is switched entirely by laser light

A team of physicists from Vanderbilt University and the University of Konstanz in Germany have used a laser with 12-femtosecond pulses to switch vanadium dioxide film between reflective and transparent states. The transition occurs faster than previously thought, with the film shifting back and forth in under 100 femtoseconds.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateDec 6, 2007
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.

NIST announces first observation of 'persistent flow' in a gas

Researchers at NIST create a stable superfluid flow in an ultracold atomic gas using laser light and magnetic fields. This breakthrough may lead to precise navigation gyroscopes and deeper physics insights.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 27, 2007

New NIST mini-sensor may have biomedical and security applications

The new NIST mini-sensor is almost 1000 times more sensitive than the original chip-scale magnetometer and can detect magnetic fields in the range of 3-40 femtoteslas. The device has potential applications in non-invasive biomagnetic measurements, such as fetal heart monitoring and brain activity measurement.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 1, 2007

MIT develops 'tractor beam' for cells, more

Researchers at MIT have successfully applied the concept of optical tweezers to manipulate and measure tiny objects on a microchip. Using infrared light, they were able to hold and move individual cells and other objects with unprecedented precision, opening up new possibilities for biological research and materials development.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalLab on a Chip·DateOct 30, 2007
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.

New insights into how lasers cut flesh

Researchers discovered that ultraviolet lasers interact with living tissue differently than previously thought, with varying effects on wavelength and pulse duration. The study found that shorter wavelength lasers can cut more precisely and produce less collateral damage than mid-infrared lasers.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 25, 2007

Scientists 'weigh' tiny galaxy halfway across universe

An international team of scientists has identified a tiny galaxy, about half the size and one-tenth the weight of the smallest distant galaxies typically observed. The galaxy is 100 times lighter than our own Milky Way and is 100 times closer to us than the nearest known structure, the Virgo cluster.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·DateOct 4, 2007

Technology could enable computers to 'read the minds' of users

Tufts researchers are developing techniques to allow computers to respond to users' thoughts of frustration, boredom, or overwhelm. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology is being used to monitor brain blood flow and provide real-time insight into user experiences.

SourceTufts University·DateOct 1, 2007
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.

Breaking the barrier toward nanometer X-ray resolution

Brookhaven researchers developed a compound kinoform lens to surpass the critical angle limit, enabling efficient focusing of x-rays down to extremely small spots. This breakthrough advances nanoscience, energy, biology, and materials research with potential applications in alternative-energy technologies and new drug development.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 28, 2007

Primate sperm competition: speed matters

Research finds that sperm cells from more promiscuous primate species swim faster and with greater force than those of monogamous species. Human sperm fall in between, suggesting they may not have always been as monogamous as thought.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateSep 24, 2007

Carnegie Mellon building robot for lunar prospecting

The Scarab robot is equipped with a drill and features a novel rocker-arm suspension that enables it to plant its belly on the ground for drilling operations. The robot will demonstrate technologies for finding concentrations of hydrogen, water, and other volatile chemicals on the moon.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateSep 20, 2007