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How to tie microscopic knots

Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a way to tie microscopic knots within liquid crystals, a type of material used in electronics. The researchers found that by applying voltage, they can expand or shrink the knots and even form complex shapes.

Physicists propose perfect material for lasers

Researchers from MIPT and Ioffe Institute discover Weyl semimetals as ideal gain media for lasers, eliminating Auger recombination. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient lasers in the visible and infrared range, and even terahertz applications.

Extracting something from nothing: A bright glow from empty space

A new study reveals that charged particles can emit bright flashes of gamma rays by interacting with the quantum vacuum, challenging a long-held assumption about the nature of empty space. The researchers used high-powered lasers and strong magnetic fields to create conditions where Cherenkov emission could occur in vacuum.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Laser physics: Downsizing the particle accelerator

Researchers have developed a technique to miniaturize plasma wakefield acceleration, allowing for the creation of compact, high-energy particle accelerators. This technology has the potential to revolutionize particle accelerator design and enable smaller, more accessible facilities.

Exotic spiraling electrons discovered by physicists

Researchers have discovered chiral surface excitons, particles that spin like planets and annihilate each other on the surface of solids, emitting photoluminescence. The finding has potential applications for devices such as solar cells and electronic displays.

Next up: Ultracold simulators of super-dense stars

Physicists at Rice University have successfully cooled a neutral plasma using lasers, a technique that could lead to new insights into exotic states of matter and potentially even breakthroughs in quantum computing. The achievement sets the stage for simulators of super-dense stars like Jupiter and white dwarf stars.

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.

New discovery improves use of optical tweezers

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have developed a new method to improve the use of optical tweezers, allowing for more accurate measurements with less data and faster processing. This breakthrough enables the technique to be used in pharmaceutical research and study systems that are not in equilibrium.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

WSU physicists turn a crystal into an electrical circuit

Researchers have successfully written an electrical circuit into a crystal, enabling the creation of transparent and reconfigurable electronics. The phenomenon, called persistent photoconductivity, can be erased and reconfigured using heat and light, similar to an Etch A Sketch.

Washington State University physicists create 'negative mass'

Physicists at Washington State University have created a fluid with negative mass, defying Newton's Second Law of Motion. By cooling rubidium atoms to absolute zero, they were able to create a state where the particles behave like waves and synchronize in unison, resulting in negative mass.

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.

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.

Springer launches new journal Reviews of Modern Plasma Physics

The journal aims to provide cutting-edge reviews and tutorials on plasma physics, benefiting graduate students and young researchers. Published exclusively online by Springer, it will cover various fields of plasma physics, including natural and laboratory plasmas.

Laser uranium enrichment technology may create new proliferation risks

A new laser-based uranium enrichment technology may provide a hard-to-detect pathway to nuclear weapons production. The separation of isotopes by laser excitation (SILEX) process could enable covert laser enrichment plants, posing proliferation concerns comparable to gas centrifuge development.

Kansas State University researchers invent, patent new class of lasers

Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a new class of fiber-based lasers that can produce high-intensity light without requiring large amounts of power. The lasers use gas molecules to emit light and are portable, making them suitable for applications such as measuring distances and detecting gases in the atmosphere.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

UTA physicists devise gene therapy platform for macular degeneration patients

Researchers at UTA have developed a new platform that uses ultrafast near-infrared lasers to deliver gene therapy to damaged areas of the retina, enabling vision restoration in patients with macular degeneration. The laser-based method has been shown to be more effective than traditional chemical gene delivery systems.

MAINZ Graduate School of Excellence awards Visiting Professorships 2015

The MAINZ Graduate School of Excellence has awarded Visiting Professorships to Dieter Jaksch, a renowned theoretical physicist, and Thierry Valet, a leading industry-based physicist in spintronics. The recipients will spend up to twelve months at the graduate school, sharing their expertise with doctoral candidates.

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.

Making new materials with micro-explosions: ANU media release

Researchers at ANU have developed a method to create laser-induced micro-explosions in silicon, resulting in the formation of two entirely new crystal arrangements and potentially four more. The new materials exhibit complex structures and altered electronic properties, including an altered band gap and superconductivity.

Lawrence Livermore scientists 1 step closer to mimicking gamma-ray bursts

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created a record high number of positrons using lasers, which could help study gamma-ray bursts and extreme astrophysical processes. The team used three laser systems to produce nearly a trillion positrons, opening opportunities for antimatter research.

Laser 'ruler' holds promise for hunting exoplanets

Researchers successfully demonstrate a new technique combining a solar telescope with a laser frequency comb to analyze distant stars with unprecedented accuracy, potentially leading to the discovery of Earth-like planets. The technique enhances spectral analysis and advances research in astrophysics.

Turning loss to gain: Cutting power could dramatically boost laser output

Princeton engineers found that carefully restricting power delivery to certain areas within a laser can boost its output significantly. By targeting specific modes, they showed improvements in efficiency ranging from 100-fold to 10,000-fold, allowing for more control over frequency and spatial pattern of light emission.

Physicists build reversible laser tractor beam

Researchers created a reversible laser tractor beam that can repel and attract particles, moving them up to 20 centimeters with a single laser beam. The technique uses energy heating and polarization control to manipulate particles, offering new possibilities for atmospheric pollution control and tiny particle retrieval.

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.

Physics in Brazil takes center stage as World Cup comes to town

Brazilian physicists are taking advantage of increased funding to lead global research projects, including the Pierre Auger Observatory. However, they still face issues with science education and recognition, hindering their progress as a leading international community.

New Zealand physicists split and collide ultracold atom clouds

Researchers at the University of Otago have created a system that can precisely split minute clouds of ultracold atoms into 32 daughter clouds. The 'optical tweezers' unit uses intense laser beams to manipulate and control the atoms, enabling new tools for probing microscopic structures.

Diagnosis just a breath away with new laser

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a new type of laser that can detect very low concentrations of gases in exhaled breath and the atmosphere. The laser's high power and efficiency make it suitable for detecting gases such as methane and ethane, which are important in global warming.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Teaching matter waves new tricks: Making magnets with ultra cold atoms

Researchers successfully created artificial magnets using quantum matter waves of Rubidium atoms. The team's innovative method mimics the behavior of traditional magnets, allowing for clearer understanding and potential applications in fields like data storage and medical instrumentation.

Is antimatter anti-gravity?

Researchers from UC Berkeley report first direct measurement of gravity's effect on antimatter, specifically antihydrogen in free fall. The study suggests that antimatter does not exhibit anti-gravity and falls at the same rate as normal matter.

Laser empties atoms from the inside out

Researchers at the University of York and Joint Institute for High Temperatures used a petawatt laser to remove deeply bound electrons from atoms, creating a distinctive plasma state. The experiment aims to further understanding of fusion energy generation, which employs hotter plasmas than the Sun.

Physicists demonstrate the acceleration of electrons by a laser in a vacuum

Researchers demonstrate acceleration of electrons by a laser in free space, a significant breakthrough with implications for fusion as a new energy source. The capture-acceleration scenario, proposed by Yu-kun Ho's group, explains how a tightly focused laser can create a channel for electrons to receive energy gain.

Supercharged

By using high-powered X-ray laser, researchers stripped a record 36 electrons from a xenon atom, achieving a previously unachievable positively charged state. This breakthrough will help create new states of matter and produce higher-quality images of nano-world objects.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

BELLA laser achieves world record power at 1 pulse per second

The BELLA laser system has delivered a petawatt of power in a pulse just 40 femtoseconds long at a pulse rate of one hertz, a world record for laser performance. This achievement enables the creation of compact particle accelerators and tabletop free electron lasers for investigating materials and biological systems.

KIT researchers succeed in realizing a new material class

Researchers at KIT have successfully manufactured a pentamode metamaterial, also known as a metafluid, which exhibits unique mechanical properties. The material's behavior is determined by varying parameters, allowing it to mimic the properties of water and other substances.

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.

New method to separate much-needed medical isotopes

The new method uses optical pumping and magnetic barriers to extract desired atoms from a stream of elements, allowing for the isolation of crucial isotopes like lithium-7. This approach promises to be a more efficient and safer means of obtaining these vital elements for medical applications.

Are electron tweezers possible? Apparently so

Researchers from NIST and UVA successfully demonstrated the use of electron tweezers to move, position and assemble tiny particles at the nanoscale. Electron tweezers have the potential to offer a thousand-fold improvement in sensitivity and resolution compared to traditional laser optical tweezers.

Physics could be behind the secrets of crop-circle artists

Research suggests that physics principles may be used to create complex crop-circle patterns, with some teams reproducing damage using handheld magnetrons and microwaves. Crop-circle artists are believed to use invisible construction lines to design their work, dispelling the need for traditional tools.

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.

Drive test: NIST super-stable laser shines in minivan experiment

Physicists at NIST have demonstrated a super-stable laser operating in a minivan, showing its potential for field use in geodesy, hydrology and space-based physics experiments. The laser was tested with the vehicle stationary and moving at speeds of less than 1 meter per second, remaining stable enough for some applications.

Simulating black hole radiation with lasers

Scientists have successfully created an optical analogue of Hawking radiation using a laser beam and glass target. This experiment confirms the theoretical predictions of Hawking radiation, which is emitted by black holes but difficult to detect.

Researchers putting a freeze on oscillator vibrations

University of Oregon physicists have developed a technique to slow down mechanical fluctuations in optomechanical oscillators, reducing phonon excitations to near 40 quanta. The goal is to reach the quantum mechanical ground state with minimal excitation, enabling precise nanotechnology measurements.

A sonic boom in the world of lasers

Researchers create Saser, a sonic equivalent to lasers producing ultra-high frequency sound waves on a nano scale. The new device has potential applications in computing, imaging, and anti-terrorist security screening.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New unifying theory of lasers advanced by physicists

Researchers developed a new set of non-linear equations that fit both conventional and non-conventional lasers, predicting important properties from simple inputs. This unifying theory solves the long-standing problem in laser physics, providing a substantially broader perspective on laser structures.

Physicists at CCNY develop laser with bandwith spanning 2 telecom windows

Researchers at City College of New York (CCNY) have developed new near-infrared broadband lasers with tunability ranges around triple those of earlier crystals. The lasers can operate in two telecom windows, spanning 460 nanometers, and have potential applications in telecommunications, biomedical imaging, and remote sensing.

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.

McGill researchers report breakthrough in rapid malaria detection

Researchers have developed a new technique to detect malaria infection in human blood using lasers and non-linear optical effects, eliminating the need for slides and microscopes. The technique holds promise for simpler, faster, and labor-intensive detection of the malaria parasite.

Crammed with charged DNA, pressure rises inside virus

Researchers used laser tweezers to measure the forces exerted by a virus's motor as it pushes DNA into its capsid. The study found that positively charged ions play a critical role in overcoming electrostatic repulsion, allowing the virus to inject genetic material into bacterial cells.

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.

University of Texas physicists put the squeeze on atoms

Researchers at UT Austin capture as few as sixty atoms in a laser trap, achieving repeated measurements of quantum atom statistics. The study creates a new field and places scientists one step closer to realizing quantum computing by controlling individual atoms.

Harvard, Texas A&M scientists develop new laser

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.

Free electron laser reaches 10 kW

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Physics tip sheet #36 - July 30, 2003

Researchers at UCLA created a 30-cm diameter plasma laser by applying a nonuniform magnetic field. Meanwhile, scientists have made rapid advances in detecting dark matter using weak gravitational lensing experiments. A paper also examines the emerging behavior of complex systems in electronic bidding on online auction sites like eBay.

Physicist designs perfect automotive engine

Marlan Scully's new engine design uses a quantum heat bath to produce power, driving a piston with less wasted energy than in the Carnot model. The engine employs lasers, mirrors, and quantum coherence to capture energy from exhaust gases, improving efficiency.

Optical Society of America announces 2002 award winners

The Optical Society of America honored its 2002 award winners, recognizing their significant contributions to various fields of optics. Notably, James P. Gordon received the Frederic Ives Medal for his seminal work on quantum electronics, while Emil Wolf was awarded the Esther Hoffman Beller Award for his influential educational work.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Punch of world's most powerful laser rachets up a notch

Researchers at University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics successfully completed the first full-scale test of polarization smoothing on the world's most powerful laser, Omega. The technique generated 70% more fusion neutrons than without and moves closer to self-sustaining fusion.