Research using lasers and light-based technology. Covers electron control, metalens optics, mid-flight drone charging, and water purification.
Researchers at UCLA Engineering have developed a novel approach to silicon devices that combines light amplification with a photovoltaic effect, enabling the generation of power normally wasted as heat. This breakthrough has significant implications for the photonics industry and the traditional stronghold of semiconductors.
The USC/Duke team has made significant improvements in controlling light pulses, achieving a slowdown of up to 20-fold increase over previous methods. By using a simple optical fiber and exploiting the Brillouin effect, they can potentially accommodate higher data rates and enable more efficient processing with photonics.
NIST researchers have successfully grown gallium nitride alloy nanowires with intense ultraviolet and visible light emission. The wires' high light output and defect-free structure enable reliable room-temperature measurements, while their versatility makes them suitable for various devices, including sensors and transistors.
Researchers have developed a new laser technique that removes hydrogen from silicon surfaces at room temperature, allowing for the growth of silicon devices at lower temperatures. This breakthrough could enable faster and more precise manufacturing of microelectronic devices.
Scientists have developed a technique using lasers to strip hydrogen from silicon surfaces, promising to improve the quality of computer chips and solar cells. This method, which can be applied at low temperatures, offers potential applications in the manufacture of faster transistors and more precise control over nanoscale structures.
Physicist Robert Boyd has successfully demonstrated negative-speed pulses of light, where a pulse travels backwards within an optical fiber. The researchers used erbium-doped fibers to slow down and speed up the light pulse, creating a 'hump' shape with leading and trailing edges.
Researchers at NIST have successfully trapped erbium atoms using laser cooling, enabling the creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate and producing single photons with potential uses in telecommunications. The technique holds promise for developing novel devices and applications in quantum computing and materials science.
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has developed a new paint-on laser technology using colloidal quantum dots. This innovation could help alleviate the interconnect bottleneck in computer chip industry, which is expected to reach its capacity around 2010.
A Dutch-German research team has successfully controlled a chemical reaction by steering the motion of electrons with ultrashort laser pulses. The team used phase-controlled laser pulses to manipulate the timing of electron motion, leading to a preferential emission of deuterium ions and atoms in specific directions.
Researchers used human fat and pig skin to test infrared laser light, finding three wavelengths that preferentially heated fat. The results provide a proof of principle for using lasers to target sebaceous glands, potentially replacing Accutane for acne treatment.
Scientists have developed a new fluorescent tag called Dendra that allows for precise labeling and tracking of proteins in living cells. This innovation enables researchers to study protein and organelle dynamics, cell migration, inflammation, and other biological processes with unprecedented accuracy.
A team from Penn State University and the University of Southampton has developed a new way to combine semiconductor devices with microstructured optical fibers. The resulting ability to generate and manipulate signals inside optical fibers could have applications in fields such as medicine, computing, and remote sensing devices.
Physicists at JILA have developed a highly sensitive tool for real-time analysis of atoms and molecules, offering unprecedented capabilities in chemistry laboratories, environmental monitoring, security, and medical offices. The technology uses an ultrafast laser-based frequency comb to precisely measure light absorption signatures, en...
Scientists at NIST have developed an experimental atomic clock using ytterbium 'pancakes' that could be more stable and accurate than current time standards. The new design holds thousands of atoms in a lattice made of intersecting laser beams, which is also applicable to other atoms with even-numbered atomic masses.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new transparent material that can amplify light without the need for population inversion, a fundamental property of laser technology. This breakthrough has significant implications for secure information networks, allowing for undisturbed transmission of light signals.
Researchers at JILA use a novel laser technique to study semiconductor materials, revealing correlated oscillations that can aid in predicting emission frequencies. The approach, developed for probing molecular structure, offers new insights into electronic properties of semiconductors.
Scientists at NIST have developed an improved LIDAR system using a frequency comb to measure distance and vibration with high precision. The system resolves common problems with signal noise and dispersion, enabling accurate measurements of up to 1 kilometer away.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has created a miniaturized silicon chip that can control laser light, enabling faster data transfer rates in high-performance computing devices. The chip uses silicon photonic crystals to slow down light travel, allowing for modulated transmission of information.
A team of researchers from UCLA has discovered a group of over 30 young stars near a supermassive black hole, contradicting the idea that such an environment should prevent star formation. The stars' orbits suggest they formed in a massive star cluster and migrated towards the black hole.
A laboratory method has revealed new data on a mysterious 'floppy' molecule, helping explain its properties and overcoming a decades-old challenge in chemistry. The study combined experiments with theoretical predictions and enabled the analysis of cold, concentrated samples of the molecule.
A new laser-based method for measuring millimeter distances has been developed and demonstrated by a physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The technique measures frequency rather than wavelength, achieving an uncertainty of 10 picometers.
Students created living bacterial photographs by projecting light onto genetically engineered E. coli bacteria, which produced pigments based on light exposure. This innovative technology has potential applications in fields such as medical treatments and tissue engineering.
Brown University researchers have created a directly pumped silicon laser by altering its atomic structure using nanoscale drilling. The achievement opens up new possibilities for the electronics and communications industries, enabling faster and more powerful computers or fiber optic networks.
ICESat measures polar ice sheets, clouds, mountains, and forests with three lasers, enabling scientists to see objects in three dimensions. The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) instrument has fired its one billionth shot, collecting detailed information on the vertical structure of the Earth system.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed a new microscope that allows them to track the real-time motion of a single protein down to its individual atoms. The device uses infrared light to trap and control forces on a functional protein, enabling researchers to monitor its every move in real time.
Scientists have found experimental evidence of quantum chaos in a system with freely dispersing components. The researchers replicated an historical experiment, demonstrating photoelectric effect and observing Ericson fluctuations.
Researchers at UCSB have made a significant breakthrough in quantum physics, enabling the transmission of information 100 times faster than current methods. The discovery involves using a free-electron laser to modulate light beams and create a new type of cross modulation, allowing for fast channel changes.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new type of silicon-based modulator that can enable high-speed light connections between chips. This innovation could pave the way for faster data transfer rates and improve performance in computing hardware.
A new near-infrared laser device can measure brain oxygen levels with high accuracy and non-invasively, providing real-time information to protect the brain from reduced oxygen levels. This technology has the potential to improve outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac surgeries.
The Amazing Light Symposium honored innovative physicists under 40 with over $100,000 in awards. The symposium also launched a new educational partnership centered on optical and laser science and engineering.
Researchers at JILA use laser pulses to take snapshots of atom collisions, revealing how atoms briefly lose form and energy when colliding. The results provide new insights into atomic dynamics and the laws of physics.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have cooled single rubidium atoms in an optical resonator for up to 17 seconds, a record-breaking achievement. This milestone demonstrates the potential of atomic manipulation for quantum computing applications.
Researchers at CU-Boulder developed a microscopic rotor that turns in a desired direction using an oscillating electrical field. The device has potential applications in nanotechnology machines and could be used to power chemical sensors, cell-phone switches, miniature pumps or even laser-blocking goggles.
Jan Hall, a scientist emeritus at NIST and JILA fellow, was awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Theodor W. Hänsch for their contributions to laser-based precision spectroscopy. Their work enabled precise control of light frequencies, leading to breakthroughs in science, technology, and navigation.
The competition focuses on exploring innovative research in physics and astronomy, with a focus on deep discoveries about reality and technological innovations. The 18 finalists will present their research papers at a special session in October, with nine prizes awarded based on outstanding merit.
A new device has been developed to detect inflammatory cells in blood vessels, which are associated with critical atherosclerotic plaques. The device uses fluorescence spectroscopy to identify macrophage infiltration in the fibrous cap, a key marker of plaque inflammation.
Researchers have achieved a record-breaking stop of light for over one second using electromagnetically induced transparency. A new model clarifying the mathematical basis for diversity in Darwinian evolution has been developed, suggesting that related species emerging from a common ancestor can quickly evolve in different directions.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanotech-laser treatment that uses carbon nanotubes to selectively kill cancer cells, bypassing normal body tissue. The technique involves coating the nanotubes with folate molecules to target diseased cells, and shining near-infrared light on them to induce heat and destruction.
Researchers at NIST developed a compact, vertically mounted cavity that eliminates vibrations, allowing for stable laser light with minimal environmental disturbances. The new design outperforms previous systems in size and cost, enabling widespread adoption of precise optical technologies.
Scientists observed a chemical reaction in liquid methanol after hitting a molecule with a short laser pulse. The research confirms a long-standing hypothesis regarding the evolution of the molecule, providing new insights into chemical reactions in liquids.
A new NIST-developed instrument uses infrared laser light to accurately measure silicon wafer thickness, enabling precise nanoscale dimension measurements. The Improved Infrared Interferometer can produce detailed spatial maps of differences in thickness with high repeatability.
The NIST method corrects stray light errors in spectrometers, enabling accurate measurements of low-power radiation components and large dynamic intensity ranges. The new method has been implemented and validated using a commercial spectrograph, allowing real-time corrections without significant speed reduction.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a holographic video system with potential applications in medical visualization, such as improved diagnosis of ailments like heart disease. The technology also has military uses, including heads-up displays for helmets and coordinating battlefield information.
Researchers have created a method to visualize individual gold nanoparticles using lower laser intensities, allowing for the observation of behavior in living tissues at the single molecule level. This breakthrough enables tracking of disease and drug molecules at the molecular level, with potential applications in medicine.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a silicon device that can modulate light on a micrometer scale, enabling the integration of electronics and photonics. The device uses a ring resonator to filter out specific wavelengths of light, allowing for efficient switching between states.
Researchers have created a high-resolution ultraviolet light source that enables precise energy level measurements of specific atoms, timing of chemical reactions, and nanometer-scale object dimensions.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that green laser pointers can cause irreversible damage to the retina's pigment layer. Longer exposures and higher-powered lasers increase the risk of vision damage.
Researchers have developed a new tool that allows them to visualize cells in real-time, revealing details about their movement and behavior. The technique, called two-photon laser-scanning microscopy, has provided insights into the goal-oriented migration of activated T cells and the random wanderings of immature T cells.
Duke physicists create an all-optical switch using laser light and rubidium vapor, which can control stronger light beams with much weaker signals. This breakthrough could improve high-speed telecommunications networks by reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have created an 'egg carton' of light with tiny holes that can contain single atoms, a crucial step towards making quantum computing more practical. The design enables faster computing than traditional chips and has potential applications in fields like astrophysics, genetics, and materials science.
Scientists have developed a new breed of fibre-optic sensors that can measure strain, detect movements, and monitor blast-waves with high accuracy. These sensors promise to revolutionize safety monitoring in various industries.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a method to remotely control fly behavior using laser light, demonstrating a direct link between specific neurons and behaviors. The technique involves genetically engineered 'phototriggers' that respond to light pulses, allowing for non-invasive control of neural activity.
Researchers develop Fluorform-Assisted Light Inactivation technology to identify proteins involved in cancer cell spread, targeting HSP90A and CD155 molecules.
Researchers discovered that blue light can rapidly kill certain oral bacteria associated with periodontitis, and may restore a healthy bacterial balance in the mouth. A handheld device using this technology is being developed to combat periodontal disease.
Researchers at JILA used noise patterns in images of ultracold potassium clouds to visualize entangled atom pairs, shedding light on a key phenomenon in quantum physics. The discovery could have implications for the development of quantum computers and highly sensitive measurement techniques.
Researchers have created a novel Raman laser that combines the pump source and material into a single device, enhancing efficiency by 30% and reducing size. The 'matryoshka' design enables tuning of the pump laser radiation to strong electronic resonance in the material, boosting gain by five orders of magnitude.
A new study found that light therapy, combined with anti-fungal treatments, can effectively combat various fungal infections, particularly those affecting the skin or nails. The research also sheds light on early fungal evolution and the role of light in fungal development.
Ultra-cold atoms can help researchers understand quantum systems, including superconductivity. The atoms' interactions can be precisely calculated and controlled.
Austrian-German collaboration creates laser-like X-rays with a compact laboratory apparatus, breaking the nanometer barrier. The technology has the potential to improve X-ray imaging in biology and medicine, enabling early-stage cancer diagnosis at reduced risk and higher resolution.
A new lensless imaging technique has been demonstrated, allowing for direct imaging of ultra-fast changes in the collective behavior of atoms and molecules at the nanoscale. The technique uses coherent X-ray light to achieve 10 times better spatial resolution than current methods.