Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Topological bulk BICs enable compact, single-mode, and beam-engineered QCLs

Researchers developed an electrically-pumped compact topological bulk laser for single-mode emission and cylindrical vector beams. The device utilizes band-inverted topological band edges that support high quality factors, enabling miniaturization and single-mode laser emission.

Exploiting dark autoionizing states for enhancing the extreme ultraviolet laser power

Researchers develop unique method to enhance extreme ultraviolet laser power by exploiting dark-autoionizing states, increasing conversion efficiency by over ten times. This breakthrough enables studying ultrafast dynamics of dark autoionizing states at the femtosecond timescale, with potential applications in quantum technologies.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 30, 2023

A motion freezer for many particles

A team from TU Wien has developed a method to cool several particles simultaneously by adapting the spatial structure of a laser beam to particle motion. The technique uses far-field wavefront shaping to optimize cooling and can be achieved without knowing the exact location or movement of the particles.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 28, 2023

‘Ghostly mirrors’ for high-power lasers

Researchers have developed a new way to produce mirrors that can withstand extremely high powers, enabling the creation of small footprint, ultra-high-power laser systems. This breakthrough has significant implications for various fields such as medicine, biology, and physics.

SourceUniversity of Strathclyde·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

Researchers achieve the first observation of de Broglie-Mackinnon wave packets by exploiting loophole in 1980’s-era laser physics theorem

University of Central Florida researchers observed de Broglie-Mackinnon wave packets, a long-standing theoretical concept, by exploiting a loophole in 1980's-era laser physics theorem. The team's use of space-time wave packets, which resist stretching in dispersive media, verifies predicted properties and opens the path to studying top...

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2023

GHz burst mode femtosecond laser pulses can create unique two-dimensional (2D) periodic surface nanostructures

Researchers demonstrate the ability of GHz burst mode femtosecond laser pulses to create unique two-dimensional (2D) periodic surface nanostructures on silicon substrates. The GHz burst mode enhances ablation efficiency and quality compared to conventional single-pulse mode, enabling the formation of distinctive 2D LIPSS.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 24, 2023

Milestone for laser technology

A team of researchers from Synchrotron SOLEIL, France, and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Germany, has successfully demonstrated a free-electron laser driven by plasma acceleration and seeded by additional light pulses. This achievement could lead to the development of more compact and affordable FEL systems.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 5, 2022

How does radiation travel through dense plasma?

Researchers at the University of Rochester used x-ray spectroscopy to study radiation transport in dense plasmas. They found that atomic energy level changes do not follow conventional quantum mechanics theories, instead conforming to a self-consistent approach based on density-functional theory.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 17, 2022

A dual boost for optical delay scanning

Researchers at ETH Zurich introduce a novel single-cavity architecture for a dual-comb laser, enabling fast and precise scanning of optical delays. The system achieves high precision (2-fs) and stability (up to 500 Hz) for an optical delay of 12.5 ns, opening up new possibilities for practical applications.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2022

Researchers develop laser that could ‘reshape the landscape of integrated photonics’ with applications in LiDAR, atomic physics, AR/VR

A new type of integrated semiconductor laser has been developed using the Pockels effect, integrating a lithium-niobate-on-insulator platform. This technology enables fast reconfigurability and narrow spectral window, paving the way for applications in LiDAR remote sensing, microwave photonics, atomic physics, and AR/VR.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

Development of high-time-resolution measurement of electron temperature and density in a magnetically confined plasma

Researchers have developed a high-performance laser system capable of measuring electron temperature and density in plasma at a world record speed of 20,000 times per second. This breakthrough enables detailed measurements of transient phenomena in plasmas, crucial for understanding and controlling fusion power generation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2022

Arrayed chirality

A team of researchers from Osaka University used computer simulations to model the optical radiation force distribution induced by an interference pattern, enabling the fabrication of nano-sized structures with chiral properties. This technology has the potential to create new optical devices, such as chirality sensors.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2022

High efficiency and low noise amplification of ultrashort pulses by quasi-parametric amplification

Researchers have developed an ultrahigh-efficiency and low-noise scheme of quasi-parametric chirped-pulse amplification (QPCPA), achieving 56% energy efficiency for signal conversion. This process greatly suppresses parametric superfluorescence noise, enabling high repetition-rate operation and potential peak powers over 50 PW.

Combing light with sharper teeth

The study reveals that noise sources in the micro resonator can cause the lines to be narrower than previously thought, enabling more precise measurements. By understanding this phenomenon, researchers can develop even more accurate devices, such as instruments measuring signals at light-years distances.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2022

Making dark semiconductors shine

Researchers successfully manipulated energy levels in tungsten diselenide to induce luminescence, a breakthrough for controlling matter through light fields. The discovery could enhance optical properties of organic semiconductors, leading to innovative LED and solar cell applications.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2022

Researchers design new emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in complex evolving systems

A team of researchers has developed a novel photonic emulator that reveals the intricacies of light behavior in non-Hermitian optical systems. The findings suggest that the topology of energy surfaces plays a crucial role in determining light behavior, leading to novel mechanisms for light manipulation and technological advancements.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

A novel all-optical switching method makes optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient

A novel all-optical switching method has been developed to make optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient. The method utilizes the quantum optical phenomenon of Enhancement of Index of Refraction (EIR) to achieve ultrafast switching times, ultralow threshold control power, and high switching efficiency.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022

Light-based therapies achieve good results in rehabilitation of patients with post-COVID complications

Researchers have found that light-based therapies such as photobiomodulation and photodynamics can effectively treat a range of post-COVID complications, including muscle and joint damage. The studies, conducted in Brazil, utilized laser irradiation, negative pressure, and other technologies to improve symptoms and promote healing.

A new guide to extremely powerful light pulses

Researchers have demonstrated a new method for guiding light in an energy-scalable manner using two refocusing mirrors and thin nonlinear glass windows. This approach enables the compression of laser pulses to tens of femtosecond duration with gigawatt peak power.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2022

Engineers pave way for next-gen deep ultraviolet lasers

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a high-quality crystal of aluminum nitride and created an optical cavity to trap emitted light, enabling the production of a deep-ultraviolet laser with exceptional precision. The breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including sterilization, sensing, and ph...

SourceCornell University·JournalAIP Advances·DateApr 4, 2022

Can Bessel beams be realized in the ultrabroad terahertz frequency range?

A team of scientists has successfully generated Bessel terahertz pulses from superluminal laser plasma filaments, showcasing a promising approach for various applications. The method, which manipulates the spatial-temporal structure with tailored femtosecond lasers, produces ultrabroad bandwidth and high-order Bessel beam profiles.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2022

Multifaceted approaches to engineer fluorescence in nanomaterials via a focused laser beam

Scientists review key influence of various laser techniques on fluorescence properties across a range of nanomaterials. Laser-induced control over nanomaterial composition and dimension enables tunability in fluorescence colors. The study also explores instances where lasers convert non-fluorescing precursors to fluorescent forms.

Laser flashes for cancer research

A research team at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf has successfully tested irradiation with laser-accelerated protons on animals, paving the way for optimal radiation therapy. The method could make a decisive contribution to improving proton therapy, which is currently more complex and expensive than X-ray therapy.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 14, 2022

Researchers unravel the inner workings of heat conduction in galaxy clusters

A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMar 9, 2022

Controlling how fast graphene cools down

Researchers have demonstrated control of graphene's relaxation time, allowing for novel functionalities in devices such as light detectors and modulators. This work paves the way for the development of ultrafast optical devices with potential applications in photonics and telecommunications.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalACS Nano·TypeObservational study·DateMar 4, 2022

Donuts and laser beams

Topologists have successfully applied their tools to lasers, enabling the creation of a laser beam whose energies follow a topologically non-trivial loop. This property leads to unique amplification patterns in the light emitted by the laser.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022