Laser Physics

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Atoms vibrate on circular paths – with an unexpected twist

Patrizio Antici honoured with the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Award

Patrizio Antici, a specialist in applied photonics, has been awarded the prestigious Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Award for his cutting-edge research in laser and plasma physics. The award highlights his impact on energy and materials sciences, reflecting a collective effort grounded in scientific excellence and collaboration.

Aston University researcher helps solve a decades-old ultrafast lasers puzzle

Researchers have developed a unified mathematical model explaining two types of 'breathing' solitons in ultrafast lasers, overcoming decades-old puzzle. The new framework accurately predicts complex behaviors and reveals underlying mechanisms.

New laser method gives insight into radioactive atomic nuclei

A new laser method allows researchers to study radioactive elements like neptunium and fermium, which have rugby ball-shaped atomic nuclei. The technique provides crucial information about the size and shape of atomic nuclei, essential for understanding actinide properties.

A Bessel lens with a flat lens unveils technology that creates a nondiffracting bottle laser

Scientists at Chiba University developed a simple method to generate high-quality optical bottle beams that remain concentrated over long distances. The technique uses a binary axicon and a flat multilevel diffractive lens to create sharp light structures.

Racetrack-shaped lasers for bright, stable frequency combs

A new laser source generates a specific type of light source called a frequency comb in the mid-infrared region, paving the way for miniaturization. The device overcomes engineering challenges to produce bright, stable, and compact frequency combs.

Quantum entanglement on attosecond timescales

The study measures ultrafast electron dynamics in hydrogen molecules, observing oscillations in hole localization that depend on the delay between attosecond pulses. Entanglement occurs at the expense of electronic coherence in the remaining ion.

Laser tornado in a synthetic magnetic field

Researchers from the University of Warsaw and other institutions created optical tornadoes by combining spatially variable birefringence with an optical microcavity. This allows for the creation of miniature light sources with complex structures, potentially enabling simpler and more scalable photonic devices.

A clear roadmap for engineering combs of light

Engineers at Harvard create microcombs on photonic chips, enabling compact, programmable frequency combs for precision measurement and telecommunications applications. The breakthrough makes electro-optic microcombs more practical, energy efficient, and diverse.

Tools to glimpse how “helicity” impacts matter and light

A team from Tokyo Metropolitan University successfully detects laser-assisted electron scattering using circularly polarized light, shedding light on atomic scale helicity and its impact on electron-matter interaction. The signal agrees with theory, but further work is needed to improve detection efficiency and accuracy.

Ultrafast lasers for attosecond science

Attosecond pulses rely on ultrafast lasers, which face performance bottlenecks in pulse energy, duration, wavelength, and repetition rate. Key technological routes include increasing pulse energy and peak power through amplification architectures and combining strategies.

Transient Pauli blocking for broadband ultrafast optical switching

This study reveals that a femtosecond laser can induce a rise in electronic temperature, transiently blocking optical absorption and enabling multicolor modulation from a single material platform. The discovery opens a new pathway toward ultrafast, broadband, and energy-efficient photonic devices.

Generating micro-combs of light

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have discovered a new way to generate ultra-precise, evenly spaced laser light combs on a photonic chip. This breakthrough could miniaturize optical platforms like spectroscopic sensors or communication systems.

Reshaping gold leads to new electronic and optical properties

By changing the physical structure of gold, researchers can drastically change its interaction with light, leading to enhanced electronic behavior and improved absorption of light energy. This study demonstrates the potential of nanoporous gold as a new design parameter for engineering materials in advanced technologies.

Swiss X-ray laser reveals the hidden dance of electrons

Scientists at SwissFEL have developed a technique known as X-ray four-wave mixing, allowing them to access coherences in matter for the first time. This breakthrough has the potential to illuminate how quantum information is stored and lost, ultimately aiding the design of more error-tolerant quantum devices.

Synchronising ultrashort X-ray pulses

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have successfully implemented mode-locking to generate coherent trains of X-ray pulses with unprecedented temporal structure. This achievement enables attosecond science and opens up new experimental possibilities, including precise timing of phenomena in gases, liquids, and solids.

Elegant solution for measuring ultrashort laser pulses discovered

Researchers at Lund University have developed a compact and elegant way to stretch ultrafast laser pulses using a diffraction grating, allowing for precise control over pulse duration. This enables full characterization in a single shot, without the need for pre-compensation optical elements.

Shaping quantum light unlocks new possibilities for future technologies

Researchers have demonstrated how controlling the structure of photons in space and time enables tailored quantum states for next-generation communication, sensing, and imaging. This breakthrough offers new pathways for high-capacity quantum communication and advanced technologies.

Highly efficient and compact

Researchers have developed a new system that combines laser amplification and bandwidth, achieving 80% efficiency in a compact and versatile design. The system uses a multipass procedure to synchronize pulses and generate pulses shorter than 50 femtoseconds.

Shaping light with geometry: VCSELs reimagined for smarter photonics

Researchers have demonstrated that non-circular VCSEL cavity designs can fundamentally improve performance by redefining boundary conditions. The pentagonal VCSEL showed over twice the power density of traditional circular VCSELs, while the mushroom-shaped VCSEL offered high power and low spatial coherence.

Peering inside 3D chaotic microcavities with X-ray vision

A new study uses X-ray microcomputed tomography to image and analyze 3D chaotic microcavities without harming them. The team found that distorted shapes lead to Arnold diffusion, confirming a long-standing theoretical prediction about 3D chaotic light dynamics.

Characterization of few-cycle pulses tunable across the vacuum ultraviolet

Scientists at Max Born Institute develop technique to generate µJ-level tunable few-fs UV pulses in VUV range. They successfully characterized few-fs pulses tuned between 160 and 190 nm using electron FROG, revealing pulse duration of 2-3 fs.

Attosecond plasma lens

Scientists at Max Born Institute and DESY develop a plasma lens that focuses attosecond pulses, improving the study of ultrafast electron dynamics. The technique offers high transmission rates and allows for focusing light across different colors.

Birch leaves and peanuts turned into advanced laser technology

Physicists at Umeå University developed a laser made entirely from biomaterials, including birch leaves and peanut kernels. The environmentally friendly laser performs just as well as artificially engineered lasers and could be used for bioimaging, diagnostics, and optical tagging.

Laser-emission vibrational microscopy enables rapid screening of hyperlipidemia

Researchers developed a laser-emission vibrational microscopy technique for rapid screening of hyperlipidemia, measuring viscosity of microdroplets in over 5,400 droplets in 90 minutes. The approach enables high-throughput analysis of biological fluids with promise for mechanical biomarker discovery and low-cost clinical diagnostics.

TBAY fiber: A new medium for realizing Raman solitons and dispersive waves beyond 4 μm

Researchers developed a novel fluorotellurite glass, TBAY, with high nonlinear efficiency, allowing for miniaturization of mid-infrared laser systems. The new fiber generated tunable Raman soliton and dispersive waves beyond 4 μm in centimeter-long lengths.

Significant reduction of corrosion of stainless steel by strong-field laser surface passivation

Researchers developed a strong-field laser passivation strategy to create super-corrosion-resistant stainless steels. The technique forms a hybrid Fe3O4/Fe2O3/Cr2O3 passivation layer with unique micro/nanostructures, greatly suppressing pitting corrosion and inhibiting metal surface exposure.

Laser-driven luminescent ceramic-converted near-infrared II light source for advanced imaging and detection techniques

Researchers developed luminescent ceramic-converted laser diodes with superior thermal stability, high-power endurance, and improved luminescence efficiency. The resultant ceramics achieve unprecedented efficiency and enable record output power under blue laser excitation.

Watching bandgaps in motion - attosecond interferometry of solids

Using extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic interferometry, researchers tracked changes in the electronic bandgap of silica glass and magnesium oxide under strong laser excitation. The study found a shrinking bandgap in silica and a widening bandgap in magnesium oxide.

Quantum uncertainty tamed at the University of Arizona

The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.

New adaptive optics to support gravitational-wave discoveries

UC Riverside-developed FROSTI system allows precise control of laser wavefronts at extreme power levels, opening a new pathway for gravitational-wave astronomy. This technology expands the universe's view by a factor of 10, potentially detecting millions of black hole and neutron star mergers with unmatched fidelity.

Pushing boundaries in ultrafast magnetization switching

Researchers discovered that ultrafast magnetization switching proceeds with a speed of about 2000 meters per second, not uniformly throughout the material. A moving boundary propagates through the film, sweeping through the entire layer in roughly 4.5 ps.

Robust mode-locking in all-fiber ultrafast laser by nanocavity of two-dimensional heterostructure

Researchers developed a novel robust saturable absorber by integrating a nanocavity heterostructure onto the fibre end facet, achieving single-pulse generation in approximately 85% of configurations. This enhances environmental tolerance and compactness for communication systems, high-precision sensing, and bio-photonics.

High-frequency molecular vibrations initiate electron movement

A team of scientists observed the earliest steps of ultrafast charge transfer in a complex dye molecule, with high-frequency vibrations playing a central role. The experiments showed that these vibrations initiate charge transport, while processes in the surrounding solvent begin only at a later stage.

Sweden’s most powerful laser delivers record-short light pulses

Researchers at Umea University have demonstrated a custom-built laser facility generating ultrashort laser pulses with extreme peak power and precisely controlled waveforms. The Light Wave Synthesizer 100 (LWS100) spans 11 meters in length, capable of producing 100 terawatts for a few millionth of a billionth of a second.

Bagged: Skyrmions

A team of researchers developed a reliable method to create donut-like, topologically rich spin textures called skyrmion bags in thin ferromagnetic films. The success rate of generating such textures using single laser pulses is significantly higher than magnetic-field-driven approaches.

New technique can dramatically improve laser linewidth

Researchers at Macquarie University developed a new technique to narrow laser linewidth by factors exceeding 10,000 using diamond crystals and Raman scattering. This breakthrough could revolutionize quantum computing, atomic clocks, and gravitational wave detection with improved spectral purity.

New photonic platform developed by Polish research team

The researchers created a novel method for using cholesteric liquid crystals in optical microcavities, enabling the formation and dynamic tuning of photonic crystals. This breakthrough research has the potential to revolutionize photonic engineering by opening up new perspectives in the manipulation of light.

Oxford scientists develop new technique for capturing ultra-intense laser pulses in a single shot

Researchers have developed a novel single-shot diagnostic technique called RAVEN, allowing for the complete capture of ultra-intense laser pulses in real-time. This method enables scientists to fine-tune laser systems and bridge the gap between experimental reality and theoretical models.

Semi-automated manufacturing process for cost-efficient quantum cascade laser modules

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics has developed a semi-automated process for producing quantum cascade laser modules with MOEMS and EC, simplifying production and reducing costs. The technology enables spectral tunability and high brilliance, making it suitable for various spectroscopy applications.

German Federal Ministry of Research grants millions for “fusion talent” — Dr. Jonas Ohland will lead GSI/FAIR young investigators group

Dr. Jonas Ohland will lead the ALADIN project to develop stable, efficient lasers for inertial confinement fusion. The goal is to improve beam guidance and reduce manual intervention, benefiting not only fusion research but also other high-power laser applications.

U of A researchers developing world's first petahertz-speed phototransistor in ambient conditions

Researchers at U of A create a transistor that operates at speeds over 1,000 times faster than modern computer chips. The breakthrough uses quantum effects to manipulate electrons in graphene, enabling ultrafast processing for applications in space research, chemistry, and healthcare.

Filipino scientists develop low-cost liquid lenses

Researchers at Ateneo de Manila University create hydrophobic surfaces using electrospun polymer fibers to hold water droplets in a dome shape, allowing for dynamic adjustment of magnifying power. This discovery has potential practical applications in science classrooms, remote areas, and research labs.

Ultrafast multivalley optical switching in germanium for high-speed computing and communications

Researchers demonstrate ultrafast transparency switching across multiple wavelengths using single laser excitation in germanium, opening possibilities for advanced optical technologies. The study highlights the potential of Ge as a key material for ultrafast optical switching with promising applications in high-speed data transmission ...

Light that spirals like a nautilus shell

Harvard physicists develop an optical vortex beam that twists and changes shape, resembling spiral shapes found in nature. The 'optical rotatum' has potential applications in controlling small particles and micro-manipulation, and its creation is made possible with a single liquid crystal display.

A milestone for laser plasma acceleration

A DESY team significantly improved the properties of a laser-plasma accelerated electron beam by using a two-stage correction system, reducing energy spread and fluctuation. This brings the technology closer to concrete applications in fundamental research, industry, and health.

Physicists at TU Dortmund university investigate dynamic phenomena of a time crystal

Researchers periodically drove a time crystal and observed a range of nonlinear dynamic behaviors, from perfect synchronization to chaotic motion. The team discovered the 'Farey tree sequence' and the 'devil's staircase,' which indicate specific patterns of behavior in response to periodic driving.

The ticking of thorium nuclear optical clocks

The thorium-229 nuclear optical clock has the potential to achieve a very high-precision time and frequency standard due to its unique properties. Despite significant progress, numerous challenges remain, including temperature sensitivity and the scarcity of the isotope.

Delft University of Technology and Brown University pioneer technology for next-generation lightsails in space exploration

Researchers have developed scalable nanotechnology-based lightsails that can be fabricated in a single day, reducing the traditional 15-year process. These lightsails use laser-driven radiation pressure to propel spacecraft at high speeds, enabling rapid interplanetary travel and opening new possibilities for experimental physics.

Researchers capture first laser-driven, high-resolution CT scans of dense objects

A Colorado State University team has achieved a new milestone in 3D X-ray imaging technology by capturing high-resolution CT scans of the interior of a large, dense object using a compact, laser-driven X-ray source. This breakthrough offers a fast and non-destructive way to obtain detailed views inside dense structures.

Twisting atomically thin materials could advance quantum computers

Scientists at the University of Rochester have discovered a way to create artificial atoms within twisted monolayers of molybdenum diselenide, retaining information when activated by light. This breakthrough could lead to new types of quantum devices, such as memory or nodes in a quantum network.

Reading magnetic states faster – in far infrared

Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a new method to determine the magnetic orientation of a material using terahertz light pulses. This technique enables reading out magnetic structures within picoseconds, opening up possibilities for ultrafast data storage and processing.

Watching electron motion in solids

A German-Italian team has discovered a way to simplify the experimental implementation of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, allowing for real-time study of electron motion in solids. By adding an optical component to Cerullo's interferometer, researchers were able to control laser pulses more precisely, enabling the investigatio...

X-ray snapshot: How light bends an active substance

Researchers used X-ray light to analyze the structure of 2-thiouracil, a substance with medically relevant properties. The study found that UV radiation causes the molecule to bend, resulting in the protrusion of the sulfur atom and making it reactive.

New photon-avalanching nanoparticles could enable next-generation optical computers

Researchers developed new photon avalanching nanoparticles that exhibit high nonlinearities, overcoming challenges in realizing intrinsic optical bistability at the nanoscale. The breakthrough paves the way for fabricating optical memory and transistors on a nanometer scale comparable to current microelectronics.

New sensor can take any gas and tell you what’s in it

A new laser-based device can analyze gas samples with high precision, detecting molecules at minute concentrations. The technology has potential applications in medical diagnostics, tracking greenhouse gas emissions, and more.

New X-ray experiment could solve major physics puzzles

Scientists use European X-ray Free Electron Laser to detect axions, which could provide evidence for new physics beyond Standard Model. The experiment sets stage for future searches in milli- to kilo-electron volt mass range.

New technology enhances gravitational-wave detection

A new optical technology developed at UC Riverside enables gravitational-wave detectors to reach extreme laser powers, overcoming limitations that hinder the detection of cosmic phenomena. This breakthrough is expected to significantly expand our view of the universe, particularly in the earliest stages of its history.

Tiny compasses could improve navigation, brain imaging and more

Researchers have discovered a new way to measure magnetic field orientation using tiny atom-based compasses. The technology has the potential to create precise measurement devices for various applications, including navigation, brain imaging, and medical research.