Research using lasers and light-based technology. Covers electron control, metalens optics, mid-flight drone charging, and water purification.
Researchers successfully transfer the quantum state of a light pulse onto a set of atoms, demonstrating quantum memory. The experiment achieved a 70% coincidence rate, which is higher than what can be obtained by measuring the polarization of the photons directly.
Researchers at JILA have developed an efficient method to measure and control atomic energy levels with extremely high accuracy. The technique uses ultrafast pulses of laser light to record in real-time the energy required to boost atoms' outer electrons, enabling fine-tuning with lower power lasers.
LSU Assistant Professor Mette B. Gaarde has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her groundbreaking research on attosecond pulses of light. These pulses, produced in the interaction between intense laser pulses and atoms, can capture electrons as they rearrange during chemical bonding events.
Researchers have created a system that detects pedestrian crossings in front of a person using a single camera, measuring road width and traffic light color to ensure safe crossing. The device uses projective geometry and 'projective invariant' calculation to accurately detect crossings in images.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new transistor laser that can emit a narrow, coherent beam. This technology has the potential to facilitate faster signal processing, higher speed devices and large-capacity seamless communications.
Physicists at NIST create an optical nose technique that can identify a single atom or molecule in gas samples with minute concentrations. The method uses infrared laser beams and mirrors to detect gases at very low pressures and varying frequencies.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have discovered that low-intensity infrared laser light can spark specific nerves to life, exciting a leg or even individual toes without touching the nerve cells. The technique offers greater precision and accuracy than conventional electrical stimulation.
Scientists used airborne LIDAR to map the dimensions of Mount St. Helens' uplift, creating detailed models to forecast volcanic hazards. The analysis revealed 5.3 million cubic meters of volume change in the area of uplift, confirming photogrammetric measurements.
Scientists at UC Santa Cruz have successfully guided light waves through liquids and gases using novel waveguides made from silicon fabrication technology. The device enables detection of molecular fluorescence and has potential applications in fields such as chemistry, biology, and quantum optics.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab develop a technique to channel laser-powered plasma waves, creating high-quality beams with particles over 80 MeV in energy. By optimizing plasma channel conditions and laser parameters, they achieve unprecedented beam intensity and suppress electron capture.
Scientists have successfully slowed down the group velocity of light in semiconductors, achieving speeds of about 6 miles per second. This breakthrough could lead to faster optical networks and higher performance communications, enabling applications like 3-D graphics transmission and high-resolution video conferencing.
Physicists at Ohio State University discovered that a glass semiconductor softens when exposed to low-power laser light, but returns to its original hardness when the light is turned off. The material's behavior is linked to the rigidity transition and the displacement of electrons in the latticework structure.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have created low-loss and highly flexible optical waveguides using semiconductor nanoribbons, which can be integrated into photonic circuits. The nanoribbon waveguides were synthesized from tin oxide and demonstrated the ability to propagate and modulate light through subwavelength optical cavities.
The chip-scale atomic clock is the world's smallest, consuming less than 75 thousandths of a watt and stable to one part in 10 billion. It has potential uses in wireless communications, GPS receivers, and could replace quartz crystal oscillators in common products with improved time keeping.
Scientists have developed a technique to visualize the electric field of visible light, measuring its variation with unprecedented resolution. This breakthrough enables direct and accurate measurement of ultrabroad-band light pulses, opening doors to new applications in molecular electronics and X-ray lasers.
Researchers at NIST and CU-Boulder observed strontium atoms forming a cubic structure, with atoms flying apart in formation due to a recoil effect. The phenomenon is caused by the atoms absorbing laser energy and rapidly cooling, resulting in the creation of a 'flying structure' visible through blue fluorescence signals.
Researchers have successfully bridged the 'Kuzyk quantum gap' in molecular nonlinear optics, creating a new hybrid material that can harness light's power. This innovation could lead to faster internet speeds and more efficient communication systems.
A new study using wavefront diagnostic equipment has shown that different types of cataracts produce identifiable results, allowing for accurate measurement of visual errors and improved treatment. This technology can help reduce the number of patients unable to receive early treatment due to inadequate or outdated testing methods.
Fluorescence spectroscopy can quickly and accurately discriminate between brain tumor and normal tissue, according to researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The technique analyzes biochemical and functional changes in cells, providing high diagnostic specificity.
The US Navy has successfully upgraded its free electron laser to a record-breaking 10 kW power level, enabling new possibilities in manufacturing, medical research, biology, and basic physics. The upgrade marks a significant milestone in the FEL program's development and opens doors to various applications.
Researchers at Chiral Photonics Inc. have developed a new class of devices called chiral gratings that can filter light, sense temperature and pressure changes, and transmit information via powerful and inexpensive lasers. The devices were created with support from NIST and the National Science Foundation.
Scientists have developed a method to measure the blinking behavior of large quantities of quantum dots in just a few minutes, revealing new insights into their properties. The approach uses a mathematical tool to analyze light output patterns, allowing researchers to better understand the behavior of these nanocrystals.
The university's new Laboratory for Quantum Control will enable original experiments at an internationally competitive level, focusing on controlling atoms and molecules using ultrashort light pulses. The lab aims to lead to increased computer capability, improved optical-fiber communications, and new forms of electronics.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new method for transferring non-contact energy to nanocrystals from a quantum well. This enables the efficient production of light with controlled color, opening up possibilities for hybrid quantum-well/nanocrystal devices and applications in solar cells.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have successfully demonstrated a new method for controlling light with light, using near-infrared and mid-infrared lasers. This breakthrough has significant implications for secure, all-optical transmission of voice and data, overcoming limitations of current near-infrared technology.
Physicists at Lehigh University achieve supercontinuum generation in nonlinear fibers using photonic crystal fibers. The phenomenon generates a rainbow of colors when infrared light waves are converted to visible lightwaves.
Researchers at Max-Planck-Institute for Quantum Optics and Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz successfully fermionize a gas of bosonic atoms, creating a Tonks-Girardeau gas. The resulting state exhibits unique properties that blur the distinction between bosonic and fermionic behavior.
Virginia Tech researchers are creating biocompatible adhesives that can be activated with light to mend vascular tissue. The novel polymer has been shown to have promising properties for laser-assisted vascular repair, potentially speeding up the healing process and reducing complications.
Researchers observed that atoms vibrate and emit phonons, which do not dissipate quickly like usual, leading to potential new applications for a phaser device. The discovery may contribute to the development of a laser-like device that emits sound waves instead of light.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has verified the accuracy of four world-class optical frequency rulers, a crucial step towards developing ultra-precise atomic clocks. These clocks are expected to be 100 times more accurate than current systems.
Researchers create ultrafast stopwatch capable of measuring atomic processes with an accuracy of less than 100 attoseconds. The device uses a combination of X-ray flashes and laser light pulses to detect electrons emitted by atoms, providing insights into chemical reactions and material synthesis.
Researchers have taken advantage of a newly mounted laser guide star system at UC's Lick Observatory to obtain sharp, twinkle-free images of the faint dusty disks of distant massive stars. The images show that these stars form in the same way as solar-type stars inside a swirling spherical cloud.
Biophysicists at Cornell University have developed a new technique to optically record millisecond-by-millisecond signaling through nerve cells. The method combines multiphoton microscopy with specially developed dyes and second-harmonic generation, allowing for high-resolution images of brain nerve impulses. This breakthrough could he...
A new 3D fabrication technique uses light-activated molecules to create complex microstructures with sub-micron features. The technique, called two-photon 3D lithography, has the potential to compete with existing processes for fabricating microfluidic devices and optical elements.
A novel laser technique has been developed to identify and quantify toxic molecules, such as trichloroethylene, in the environment. The method enables quantitative studies of real-world surface processes without requiring ultrahigh vacuum conditions.
Researchers at Purdue University developed a miniature detector using laser liftoff technique, enabling portable instruments for biologists and farmers to test crops for toxins. The device replaces bulky equipment with a centimeter-wide chip, reducing costs and increasing security.
Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have contributed to the development of a better electron accelerator that uses laser light. The STELLA experiment successfully accelerated electrons to high energies while keeping them tightly bunched together, enabling more efficient and compact acceleration technology.
Researchers used advanced imaging and modeling techniques to study near-field behavior in metal nanoparticles. They found that arrays of nanoparticles scatter light at much smaller angles, making them suitable for two-dimensional devices such as optical chips.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a playable nanoguitar that demonstrates the potential of tiny devices vibrating at extremely high frequencies. The device, made up of silicon strings, can produce audible tones when hit with a laser beam, offering a new approach to electronic circuit design.
A new semiconductor material can lead to solar cells with higher efficiency, while a study on magnetic memory devices suggests they could speed up by a factor of 1000. Researchers also found that certain interactions between molecules can create negative friction, which could have applications in fields like photosynthesis and nanoscal...
Researchers validated Einstein's theory by applying information theory to laser experiments, showing that information cannot exceed the speed of light. The study found that fast light pulses did not travel faster than light speed, but rather were delayed slightly compared to vacuum speeds.
A new method has been developed to study protein folding, allowing scientists to visualize the process at a single molecule level. The technique uses fluorescent dyes and FRET to measure the efficiency of energy transfer between amino acids, providing valuable insights into protein structure and function.
Researchers at CU-Boulder created more efficient 'soft' x-ray light in the water-window region using a femtosecond laser, making it possible to build compact microscopes for biological imaging. This advance could visualize processes within living cells and understand how pharmaceuticals function.
Scientists at NIST have developed an improved method for using liposomes as tiny test tubes for ultrasmall volume chemistry. This approach may be useful for studying cellular-level processes and identifying new pharmaceuticals more efficiently.
The Office of Naval Research has unveiled a new, ultra-accurate Rubidium atomic clock that is smaller than a matchbox and consumes less power. This tiny clock loses only about one second every 10,000 years, making it ideal for precise ship and aircraft navigation, ground to outer space communications, or missile guidance.
Researchers use CD technology to detect biological interactions by exploiting errors in digital data. They attach molecules to a CD surface, allowing proteins to bind and introduce errors in the reading process.
Researchers from NIST and NREL develop a method to accurately measure the dipole moment of quantum dots, enabling optimization for various applications in quantum computing and quantum communications.
Researchers at U of T have created a topographical map of the 'beating heart' of lasers, allowing for more accurate design and diagnosis. The study could influence laser design, improve diagnosis of faulty lasers, and potentially reduce manufacturing costs.
A study by Dr. Scott MacRae found that larger pupils are more likely to experience problems with laser vision correction surgery, emphasizing the need for surgeons to consider a wider treatment zone and caution when treating patients with dilated pupils.
Researchers have designed a new optical microprobe to detect subsurface organ abnormalities, providing a new capability for endoscopy procedures. The device uses tiny electrically activated artificial muscle fibers to scan internal organ surfaces and penetrate beneath the surface.
Several studies present encouraging results for wavefront-guided LASIK, leading to sharper vision and fewer nighttime difficulties. The technology tailors laser beam settings to individual patients' visual imperfections, enhancing sharpness and patient satisfaction.
A new technique uses a laser to create a gap in the absorption spectrum of a ruby, slowing down light to 5.3 million times its original speed. This simple design could lead to breakthroughs in telecommunications by easing congestion on fiber optic lines and simplifying signal merging.
The team uses near-field Raman microscopy to illuminate nano-sized structures with light, allowing them to identify material composition and structure. This technique has the potential to revolutionize biology by enabling scientists to understand cell membrane function and develop designer medicines.
A new laser-based technique can detect developing cavities in teeth, revealing defects at very early stages of development. This photo-thermal method avoids the need for heavy lead aprons to protect patients from hazardous X-rays, making it a promising tool for preventive treatment.
Researchers at Cornell University found that the human eye can compensate for certain types of optical faults, such as corneal astigmatism and high-order aberrations. The study used wavefront analysis to measure deviations in the eye's optics and found evidence of internal compensation mechanisms.
Researchers at Jefferson Lab have successfully generated terahertz radiation 20,000 times brighter than ever before using the Free-Electron Laser. This breakthrough enables a range of applications, including enhanced detection of concealed weapons, improved medical imaging, and real-time chemical analysis.
Researchers will develop an attosecond laser system to capture electrons in motion, shedding light on atomic behavior and molecular interactions. The system's pulses will last 200 attoseconds, allowing for the first time to measure and probe dynamic processes at the atomic scale.
Researchers at JILA have developed a new waveguide structure that coaxes light waves into traveling along at the same speed, producing well-synchronized photons firing out of the system. The breakthrough enables electromagnetic radiation with peak powers approaching a megawatt and produces nanometer-scale light waves.
Researchers have successfully tracked multiple living proteins or cells simultaneously using quantum dots, overcoming limitations of traditional fluorophores. This breakthrough enables real-time observation of protein functions in natural environments, holding promise for medical applications such as understanding disease mechanisms.
Researchers used laser light to measure HCO and CH2 concentrations in natural gas flames, detecting toxic gases NO and NO2 at low levels. The technique offers a precise method for analyzing combustion processes, with potential applications in industrial settings.