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New device design could miniaturize photonics, quantum technologies

Researchers create powerful optical device with layered semiconductor and metasurface, enhancing nonlinear frequency conversion and enabling efficient light mixing and transformation. The device has potential applications in telecommunications, quantum communication, and photonic quantum computing.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

Shaping luminescence in 3D: Advanced fabrication of YAG:Ce³⁺ microstructures

Scientists create microscopic 3D light-emitting ceramic structures using chemical synthesis and advanced laser-based 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of single-phase crystalline YAG:Ce³⁺ with high precision. This technology has the potential to transform the design and manufacturing of optical devices, leading to more energy-effic...

SourceEditorial Office of Opto-Electronic Journals Group·JournalOpto-Electronic Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2026

BMFTR awards millions in funding for fusion research – Dr. Yannik Zobus of GSI/FAIR secures a young investigators group

Dr. Yannik Zobus's LASE-FUSE project aims to develop a comprehensive, modular simulation framework for fusion laser systems, enabling holistic modeling and virtual optimization of complex systems. The project will receive three million euros in funding over five years through the 'Fusionstalente' program.

MIT researchers find self-organizing “pencil beam” laser could help scientists design brain-targeted therapies

Researchers leveraged a surprise discovery to devise a new bioimaging method that captures 3D images of the human blood-brain barrier 25 times faster than existing technology. This technique enables scientists to test whether new drugs for neurodegenerative diseases reach their targets in the brain.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Methods·DateApr 27, 2026

Building desktop particle accelerators to unlock new realms of research

The University of Osaka's researchers have achieved a key milestone in creating tabletop x-ray lasers by demonstrating free-electron laser amplification at extreme ultraviolet wavelengths. They used laser wakefield acceleration to generate high-quality, monoenergetic electron beams, enabling precise control of the plasma source.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2026

UMass Amherst research demonstrates new technology for shrinking quantum computers

Researchers at UMass Amherst have made a breakthrough in shrinking the size of quantum computers by integrating laser systems onto photonic chips. This technology has the potential to enable large-scale quantum computing and make optical clocks portable, with applications in fields such as deep space navigation and GPS.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2026

Researchers demonstrate integrated stabilized laser chips performing clock and quantum operations on a room temperature trapped ion qubit

Researchers from UCSB and UMass Amherst successfully integrated stabilized laser chips with a room temperature trapped ion qubit, enabling compact and portable quantum systems. This breakthrough paves the way for applications in quantum sensing, computing, and fundamental science.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2026

Ultrafast computers controlled by light: a new frontier opened by Politecnico di Milano and CNR

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano and CNR have developed a new ultrafast computer technology controlled by light, potentially hundreds of times faster than traditional electronics. The technology manipulates the state of electrons in matter using oscillating light, enabling operations at rates above 10 terahertz.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

Massive-scale spatial multiplexing with 3D-printed photonic lanterns achieved by researchers

The Hebrew University team designed an adiabatic transition to convert multiple few-mode sources into a single multimode fiber, enabling efficient combining of dozens of small semiconductor lasers. The technology simplifies high-power laser systems and optical communications, preserving brightness and easing alignment constraints.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

How can you rescue a “kidnapped” robot? A new AI system helps the robot regain its sense of location in dynamic, ever-changing environments

A hierarchical 3D LiDAR localization method improves robot positioning in large outdoor spaces even after seasonal changes. The method integrates deep learning techniques to extract discriminative local features from 3D point clouds, making it robust to environmental variability.

SourceUniversidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche·JournalInternational Journal of Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 18, 2026

New design tackles heat challenges in high-power fiber lasers

Researchers at Fraunhofer IOF have developed a single-material cladding light stripper with self-adapting behavior, overcoming nonlinear effects and heat buildup in thulium fiber lasers. The design enables over 20 W of stripped signal light at 2 µm and up to 675 W at 793 nm, setting a new record for single-material CLS designs.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 3, 2025

Laser trial run kickstarts new era of interferometry

Astronomers have successfully installed lasers on the eight-metre telescopes at Paranal, enabling the creation of an artificial star to correct atmospheric blur. This upgrade unlocks a greater observing power and wider sky coverage for the VLTI, allowing for deeper observations of faint targets.

SourceESO·DateNov 10, 2025

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.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 15, 2025

IEEE study reveal the physics of laser emission from Mamyshev oscillator

Researchers from Hunan University uncover buildup dynamics of harmonic mode-locking in fiber-based Mamyshev oscillators, achieving high stability and signal-to-noise ratio. The study identifies five distinct phases in the generation of stable harmonic mode-locking, challenging conventional understanding of laser emission.

SourceInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers·JournalJournal of Lightwave Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2025

Powering your phone with a laser

The University of Ottawa's SUNLAB has developed a simulation model for multi-junction photonic power converters, which enable the conversion of laser light into electrical power with higher efficiencies and voltages. This technology could lead to more reliable telecommunication networks, reduce costs by enhancing systems performance, a...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 25, 2025

A one-pixel camera for recording holographic movies

Researchers at Kobe University have created a single-pixel camera that can record three-dimensional holographic movies, even through tissues. The camera uses a high-speed digital micromirror device to project patterns required for recording the hologram, enabling the capture of moving objects and images outside the visible spectrum.

SourceKobe University·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2025

Tiny microlaser sensors offer supercharged biosensing

Researchers have developed a 3D micro-printed sensor that uses whispering-gallery-mode microlasers to detect biomarkers with attogram per milliliter sensitivity. The sensors' unique Limacon-shaped design improves efficiency and enables on-chip integration, making them suitable for high-performance lab-on-a-chip devices.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 19, 2025

The US has a new most powerful laser

The US National Science Foundation-funded ZEUS facility at the University of Michigan has roughly doubled the peak power of any other laser in the country with its first official experiment reaching 2 petawatts. Research at ZEUS will have applications in medicine, national security, materials science and astrophysics.

Researchers discover a more eco-friendly approach to study light and matter interaction – could revolutionize development of emerging technologies

Researchers at the University of Turku developed a simple, eco-friendly approach to fabricate optical microcavities, allowing for precise study of polaritons and potential applications in ultra-efficient lasers and quantum optics. This innovation makes quantum and photonics research more accessible and energy-efficient.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateMay 13, 2025

From beam to battery: HKUST’s single-step laser printing supercharges high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries

Researchers developed a novel single-step laser printing technique to manufacture integrated sulfur cathodes, resulting in high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. The process reduces time and complexity compared to traditional methods, enabling faster and more efficient production.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025

Tying light from lasers into stable “optical knots”

Engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a method to create stable optical knots using laser beams, which could be used to transmit encoded information or measure turbulence in pockets of air. The team found that by adding more squiggles to the knot's features, they could make it stable for longer and resist degradation.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2025