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X-ray light is like guitar music

Scientists have created a method to continuously tune X-ray light frequency, allowing for precise control over X-ray emission. By shifting the laser frequency, researchers can select exactly the energy needed, eliminating the need for fixed frequency settings.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2026

Kitchen foil unlocks the future of terahertz technology

Researchers at the ARC Centre for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems have developed a new method to manufacture wire-grid polarisers using kitchen foil, reducing production costs and time. The technique uses a nanosecond laser to carve a metal grid directly from the foil in just 15 seconds, making it a potential game-changer for the t...

Towards the goal of controlling individual electrons

A German research team has successfully generated stable laser pulses in the femtosecond range, allowing for the manipulation of individual electrons. The team's achievement enables the stability of the electric field oscillations across a wide range of timescales, from microseconds to hours.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalApplied Physics B·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

X-rays: beyond the Nobel Prize limit

Researchers at TU Wien and University of California San Diego have discovered a new quantum regime of coherent X-ray generation with higher energies, breaking the conventional energy cutoff limit. The effect is attributed to the interaction between two electrons in helium atoms, which release their energy simultaneously.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 11, 2026

Magnon momentum microscopy: A new window into nanoscale spin-wave physics

Researchers developed a new method to observe nanoscale spin waves, directly detecting short-wavelength magnons using resonant soft X-rays. The technique, called magnon momentum microscopy (MMM), reveals strong nonlinear interactions and four-magnon scattering processes in magnetic materials.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

Turning ocean water into drinking water, without waste

Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a solar-thermal desalination process that produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and requiring no chemical additives. The technology extracts nearly 100% of salts in solid form, producing table salt and precious minerals like lithium.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 27, 2026

It takes two combs to tango

Dual-comb spectroscopy enables precise, rapid, and broadband measurements using two optical frequency combs with slightly different repetition frequencies. This technique has been implemented across the electromagnetic spectrum, from terahertz to visible range, with ongoing efforts towards ultraviolet range.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Reviews Methods Primers·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2026

Understanding extreme states of matter faster

Researchers have developed a new procedure to speed up elaborate computer simulations analyzing matter under extreme conditions. The method, which uses mathematical transformation into imaginary time, enables faster evaluation of X-ray scattering experiments, improving fields like fusion research and laboratory astrophysics.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·Journalnpj Computational Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2026

Observing nanoscale dynamics with soft X-rays

Researchers at the Max Born Institute developed a laboratory-scale soft-X-ray instrument to study ultrafast processes of emergent textures in magnetic materials. They observed nanoscale magnetic maze domains and discovered complex reorganization patterns on picosecond to nanosecond timescales.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2025

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.

SourceUniversitaet Stuttgart·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateNov 6, 2025

Keeping the photon in the dark

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a versatile method to control dark excitons in semiconductor quantum dots using chirped laser pulses and magnetic fields. This allows for the storage and manipulation of excitons, enabling new opportunities for quantum memory control and entangled photon pair generation.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

Farm robot autonomously navigates, harvests among raised beds

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University developed an autonomous driving algorithm for robots to navigate raised cultivation beds, utilizing lidar point cloud data. The system enables precise movement and accuracy in both virtual and actual environments, promising to expand tasks beyond harvesting to monitoring and pruning.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalComputers and Electronics in Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 16, 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

Optical control of phase and group velocities in everyday liquids

Scientists have discovered a way to turn ordinary liquids into epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) materials by interacting them with intense femtosecond laser pulses. This creates a new class of materials with tunable light propagation properties, opening up possibilities for advances in optical sensing and communication.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2025

Research team demonstrated nonlinear compton scattering with a multi-petawatt laser, mimicking astrophysical phenomena and producing ultra-bright gamma rays

A team of researchers successfully demonstrated nonlinear Compton scattering using a multi-petawatt laser, producing ultra-bright gamma rays. The achievement offers new insights into high-energy electron-photon interactions without traditional particle accelerators.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

Squeeze it!

Researchers at European XFEL and DESY develop self-chirping method to produce high-power attosecond hard X-ray pulses without reducing electron bunch charge. This enables non-destructive measurements at the atomic level and opens new avenues for studying matter at the atomic scale.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2024

How fast is quantum entanglement?

Researchers at TU Wien have developed computer simulations to investigate the temporal development of quantum entanglement. They found that the 'birth time' of an electron flying away from an atom is related to the state of the remaining electron, demonstrating a quantum-physical superposition.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 22, 2024

Record-breaking laser pulses

Researchers at ETH Zurich have set a new record for the strongest laser pulses, surpassing previous records by over 50%, using a special arrangement of mirrors and a semiconductor mirror. The pulses can be used to create high harmonic frequencies up to X-rays, enabling fast processes in the attosecond range.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalOptica·DateOct 11, 2024

ZJU researchers address oxidation issue of copper by laser writing towards in-situ integrated sensing

Researchers from Zhejiang University have developed a hybrid laser direct writing technique that enables the creation of functional copper interconnects and carbon-based sensors within a single integrated system. The process allows for real-time temperature monitoring over extended periods, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 5, 2024

Fundamental spatial limits of all-optical magnetization switching

A team of researchers has determined a fundamental spatial limit for light-driven magnetization reversal in nanometer-scale materials. They found that the minimum size for all-optical switching is around 25 nm due to ultrafast lateral electron diffusion, which rapidly cools illuminated regions.

Gold nanoparticles that selectively emit left-/right-handed light

Researchers found that chiral gold nanoparticles exhibit high selectivity for left- or right-handed circularly polarized light with a dissymmetry factor of approximately 0.7, outperforming previous materials. The findings suggest potential applications in anti-counterfeiting and quantum information using circularly polarized light.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2024

What is "time" for quantum particles?

Physicists from TU Darmstadt propose a new approach to define and measure the time required for quantum tunneling. They suggest using Ramsey clocks, which utilize the oscillation of atoms to determine the elapsed time. The proposed method may correct previous experiments that observed particles moving faster than light during tunneling.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

The dance of electrons

Scientists have discovered a new way to transform an insulating material into a semimetal by exposing it to ultrafast laser pulses. This process alters the energy states and electron movement, temporarily creating a semimetallic state that can be used in devices with dynamic properties.

SourceUniversità di Trento·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 10, 2024

A micro-accelerator for mega-electronvolt electrons: TIFR Hyderabad researchers generate super-fast electrons with table-top laser systems

Scientists from TIFRH successfully generate MeV temperature electrons at a fraction of the previously thought necessary laser intensity. The technique uses two laser pulses to create tiny explosions in microdroplets and accelerate electrons to megaelectronvolt energies.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMar 13, 2024

IMS developing Japan's first "Cold (neutral) atom" quantum computers: new collaboration with 10 industry partners toward commercialization

The Institute for Molecular Science (IMS) is accelerating the development of novel quantum computers based on 'cold (neutral) atom' technology, leveraging expertise from 10 industry partners. The partnership aims to launch a start-up company and develop practical applications of quantum computers by end FY2024.

Optical aspects of quantitative photoacoustic tomography

The review discusses the optical aspects of QPAT, including mathematical models for light propagation and interaction with biological tissues. The authors outline two approaches to estimating chromophore concentrations from absorbed optical energy density data, highlighting the challenges associated with practical implementation, such ...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateJan 11, 2024

Progress in the investigation of ultrafast electron dynamics using short light pulses

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding ultrafast electron dynamics by tracking the motion of electrons released from zinc oxide crystals using laser pulses. The research team combined photoemission electron microscopy and attosecond physics technology to achieve temporal accuracy, enabling them to study the interact...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalAdvanced Physics Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2024

Magnetization by laser pulse

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have identified a promising phenomenon where certain iron alloys can be magnetized using ultrashort laser pulses. The team has now expanded its findings to an iron-vanadium alloy, revealing a new class of materials with potential applications in spintronics and magnetic sensors.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 7, 2023

CityU researchers develop ultra-sensitive photoacoustic microscopy for wide biomedical application potential

The research team created a multi-spectral, super-low-dose photoacoustic microscopy system with improved sensitivity, enabling new applications and clinical translation. The system achieved up to capillary-level or sub-cellular resolution at greater depths than traditional optical microscopy methods.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2023