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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.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 10, 2025
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.

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.

SourceTU Dortmund University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2025

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.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateApr 1, 2025

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.

SourceDelft University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 24, 2025

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.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNano Letters·DateMar 17, 2025
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.

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.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2025

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...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

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.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2025

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025
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.

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateFeb 19, 2025

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.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2025

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalOptica·DateJan 29, 2025
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.

Thorium film could replace crystals in atomic clocks of the near future

A new film made from a thorium precursor could replace crystals in atomic clocks, enabling more accurate time measurements. The film requires much less thorium-229 and is about as radioactive as a banana, paving the way for smaller, more portable, and cheaper nuclear clocks.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Physicists magnetize a material with light

Researchers at MIT have created a new magnetic state in an antiferromagnetic material using terahertz laser light, enabling controlled switching and potentially leading to more efficient memory chips. The technique provides a powerful tool for manipulating magnetism and advancing information processing technology.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateDec 18, 2024

Scientists discover laser light can cast a shadow

Researchers have found that under certain conditions, a laser beam can act like an opaque object and cast a shadow. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of shadows and opens new possibilities for technologies controlling light.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateNov 14, 2024

High-quality nanomechanical resonators with built-in piezoelectricity

Nanomechanical resonators have been used to sense minuscule forces and mass changes. The new aluminum nitride resonator achieved a quality factor of over 10 million, opening doors to new possibilities in quantum sensing technologies.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2024
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Earthquake on a chip: Scientists harness sound waves on the surface of a microchip

Researchers successfully generate guided sound waves on a microchip using lasers, enabling interactions with the environment and paving the way for new sensing technologies. The innovative approach uses special glass to contain sound waves, making it ideal for applications in signal processing and communication technologies.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalAPL Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 22, 2024

Dynamics of molten pool evolution and high-speed real-time optical measurement in laser polishing

A new optical time-stretch quantitative interferometry (OTS-QI) system records surface morphology during laser polishing with nanosecond-level temporal resolution. The system achieves remarkable measurement speeds exceeding 100 million times per second while preserving accuracy comparable to existing white light interferometers.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateOct 21, 2024
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.

First successful demonstration of a dual-media NV diamond laser system

The researchers combined an NV diamond with a laser diode in an optical resonator, successfully demonstrating the sensor system with two active media. This breakthrough enables high-contrast sensors to measure biomagnetic signals from the brain or heart with improved sensitivity and dynamic range.

SourceFraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 8, 2024

UTA professor honored for science education leadership

Karen Jo Matsler, a UTA professor, is being honored for her extensive contributions to physics education and her efforts to support educators nationwide. Her Quantum for All initiative aims to integrate quantum concepts into high school science instruction, preparing students for careers in quantum technology.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateOct 3, 2024
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Lasers provide boon for manufacturing of ceremonial Thai umbrellas

Thailand's ancient tiered umbrella symbols are crafted using high-powered lasers, preserving intricate beauty in a matter of days. Researchers provide technical details for anyone with necessary equipment to make their own, aiming to conserve arts and culture.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Laser Applications·DateSep 24, 2024

Unique nanodisk pushing photonic research forward

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully combined nonlinear and high-index nanophotonics in a single nanoobject, creating a disk-like structure with unique optical properties. The discovery has great potential for developing efficient and compact nonlinear optical devices.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 11, 2024

Researchers create a one-dimensional gas out of light

Physicists at the University of Bonn and Kaiserslautern-Landau created a one-dimensional gas out of light, allowing for the first time to test theoretical predictions about its transition into an exotic state of matter. The method used in the experiment could be used to examine quantum effects.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Massive merger: study reveals evidence for origin of supermassive black hole at galaxy’s center

UNLV astrophysicists found evidence suggesting the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy, Sgr A*, is likely the result of a past cosmic merger. The study utilized data from the Event Horizon Telescope's 2022 observation of Sgr A* to investigate various growth models and demonstrated that the misaligned spin prop...

SourceUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2024

Atoms on the edge

Researchers at MIT have directly observed edge states in a cloud of ultracold atoms, capturing images of atoms flowing along a boundary without resistance. This discovery could enable super-efficient energy transmission and data transfer in materials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 6, 2024

New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images

A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2024
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.

Innovative perovskite waveguides with edge lasing effect

Scientists have created perovskite crystals with predefined shapes to serve as waveguides, couplers, and modulators in integrated photonic circuits. The edge lasing effect is associated with exciton-polariton condensates, which exhibit nonlinear effects, enabling applications in quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 22, 2024

Freeze-frame: U of A researchers develop world's fastest microscope that can see electrons in motion

Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a transmission electron microscope with attosecond temporal resolution, allowing scientists to observe electron motion in real-time. This breakthrough enables studies of ultrafast processes at the atomic level, paving the way for advancements in physics and chemistry.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience Advances·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 21, 2024

Tracking the color of light

Researchers developed a new spectroscopy method using tunable lasers, enabling precise tracking of the laser's color at every point in time. The technique offers higher power and spectral stability compared to existing methods, making it suitable for various applications including LIDAR and spectroscopy.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 12, 2024
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.

A ‘measure’ advance for ultrashort laser light!

The TIFR team developed a method to measure the temporal shape of ultrashort laser pulses using spectral interferometry, enabling precise measurement of pulse profiles at different points across the beam. This breakthrough is essential for handling increasingly powerful lasers that emit pulses and can distort optical components.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalOptica·DateAug 5, 2024

Physicists use light to probe deeper into the ‘invisible’ energy states of molecules

Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a new optical phenomenon called hyper-Raman, which can penetrate deeper into living tissue and yield images with better contrast. This effect has significant potential applications in pharmaceutical science, security, forensics, environmental science, art conservation, and medicine.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

One drop of blood, many diagnoses: Infrared spectroscopy for screening health

Researchers have developed a method to screen human health and its deviations at a population level using infrared spectroscopy and machine learning. The technique can detect multiple health conditions with just one measurement, identifying healthy individuals and complex conditions simultaneously.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateJul 19, 2024

Neural networks made of light

Researchers at Max Planck Institute propose a new method for implementing neural networks with optical systems, which could lead to faster and more energy-efficient alternatives. The approach allows for parallel computations in high speeds limited by the speed of light, and can be applied to various physically different systems.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2024
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.

Light-induced Meissner effect in optically driven YBa2Cu3O6.48

Researchers have discovered that photo-excited YBa2Cu3O6.48 expels a static magnetic field from its interior, comparable to equilibrium superconductivity. This finding suggests that tailored light pulses can be used to synchronize fluctuating states and restore superconducting order at higher temperatures.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2024

Structured electrons with chiral mass and charge

Researchers at University of Konstanz shape electron matter wave into left- or right-handed coils of mass and charge. This achievement has implications for fundamental physics and potential applications in quantum optics, particle physics, and electron microscopy.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateJul 11, 2024

Novel photodynamic therapy method can eradicate ocular melanoma, study shows

A new photodynamic therapy method has been shown to effectively eradicate ocular melanoma in mice, with the technique delivering two photons and minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The approach offers a promising alternative to current treatments that are often ineffective or invasive.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 27, 2024

Perturbations simplify the study of “super photons”

Researchers at the University of Bonn have demonstrated that photon Bose-Einstein condensates obey a fundamental theorem of physics. By applying gentle and strong perturbations to the condensate, they showed that it responds in the same way as to random fluctuations without a perturbation.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2024
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Two promising UCF researchers earn 2024 NSF CAREER Awards

UCF assistant professors Li Fang and Fan Yao have been awarded the 2024 NSF Faculty Early Career Development program award for their research projects. Fang is studying photo-induced ultrafast electron-nuclear dynamics in molecules, while Yao is identifying lapses in computer processing security at the micro level.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·DateMay 21, 2024
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.

Studying bubbles can lead to more efficient biofuel motors

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg studied how bubbles form in a drop of biodiesel using femtosecond lasers. The findings aim to improve engine efficiency, reduce emissions, and increase fuel combustion. Understanding bubble formation is crucial for developing more efficient biofuel motors.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

The interference of many atoms, and a new approach to boson sampling

Researchers demonstrate novel method of boson sampling using ultracold atoms in a two-dimensional optical lattice, overcoming previous limitations in simulations and photon-based experiments. The achievement showcases the potential of quantum devices for performing non-classical computational tasks.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature·DateMay 8, 2024

Physicists arrange atoms in extremely close proximity

MIT physicists arrange dysprosium atoms as close as 50 nanometers apart, a limit previously set by the wavelength of light. This allows for enhanced magnetic forces, thermalization, and synchronized oscillations, opening new possibilities for studying quantum phenomena.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMay 2, 2024
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.