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Ultrafast lasers for materials processing

A new type of ultrafast laser technology is being developed to create high-precision microstructures, such as those needed for smartphone displays. The project aims to make the technology cheaper and more efficient, with potential applications in glass processing, polymer ablating, and future laser surgery.

Technology advance could expand the reach of 3D nanoprinting

Researchers develop low-cost 3D nanoprinting system with nanometer-level accuracy for printing microlenses, metamaterials, and micro-optical devices. The system uses a two-step absorption process and integrated fiber-coupled laser diode, making it accessible to scientists beyond optical experts.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 9, 2023

Way cool: UVA professor developing ‘freeze ray’ technology for the Air Force

UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

From chaos to light

A team of researchers from EPFL has found a way to harness the unique features of chaotic frequency combs to implement unambiguous and interference-immune massively parallel laser ranging. This innovative approach offers significant advantages over conventional methods, enabling hundreds of multicolor independent optical carriers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

The correlation between the structures of bimetallic tartrate complexes in solutions for laser-induced synthesis and sensor characteristics of microbiosensors materials

Researchers discovered bimetallic tartrate complexes with unique structures, formed by insufficient ligand, leading to improved sensor characteristics for microbiosensors. The study showcases the potential of laser-induced chemical liquid phase deposition for creating nanostructures with various applications.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Organocatalysis·DateJul 11, 2023

Scientists developed 180% relative bandwidth microwave absorber by ultrafast UV laser

Researchers developed a new approach to create a wideband microwave absorption metamaterial using ultraviolet lasers, achieving high absorption performance and control over electrical and magnetic properties. The process enables mass production of complex structures without post-treatment.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 11, 2023

Insert an ID card into hair-thin optical fiber with femtosecond laser direct-writing fiber Bragg grating array

Fiber sensing scientists from Shenzhen University have developed an encrypted fiber optic tag that can be used for all-optical labeling and recognition of optical transmission channels. The team proposed a method using fiber Bragg grating arrays prepared by femtosecond laser direct writing to flexibly store different coding sequences.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 4, 2023

Researchers make major strides toward an all-purpose biosensor chip

The researchers have demonstrated significant improvements for chip-based sensing devices that can detect or analyze substances across widely varying concentrations. They developed signal-processing techniques that enable seamless fluorescence detection of a mixture of nanobeads in concentrations across eight orders of magnitude.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 22, 2023

NIST lays groundwork for future ultra-precise timing links to geosynchronous satellites

Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a capability to transmit extremely precise time signals through the air between far-flung locations, paving the way for ultra-precise timing links with geosynchronous satellites. The method enables time synchronization with femtosecond precision and robustness in atmospheric disturbances.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Technology advance lays groundwork for OCT eye imaging at home

Researchers have developed a custom OCT setup that incorporates a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode, which could increase access to OCT imaging and help catch eye problems early. The system performed well in imaging the eye of a healthy volunteer and showed potential for use in biometric eye scanner systems.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 1, 2023

Successful terahertz wireless communication using a micro-resonator soliton comb: Expectations for next-generation mobile communications based on photonic technology

Researchers have successfully demonstrated terahertz wireless communication using a micro-resonator soliton comb, which can potentially overcome technical limitations in current wireless electronics and enable seamless connections between optical and wireless communication systems. The study achieved data transmission rates of up to 2 ...

SourceInstitute of Post-LED Photonics, Tokushima University·JournalOptics Continuum·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2023

New approach to developing efficient, high-precision 3D light shapers

Scientists create a simple approach to fabricating highly precise 3D aperiodic photonic volume elements (APVEs) for various applications. The method uses direct laser writing to arrange voxels of specific refractive indices in glass, enabling the precise control of light flow and achieving record-high diffraction efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateApr 21, 2023

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

Breakthrough in optical information transmission

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute have developed a unidirectional device that significantly increases the quality of optical vortex signals. By transmitting selective optical vortex modes exclusively unidirectionally, they largely reduce detrimental backscattering to a minimum.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 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

Watching the fate of molecular nitrogen with X-rays, when an electron has been kicked out

Researchers at the Max Born Institute have used novel ultrashort soft X-ray spectroscopy to study the fate of molecular nitrogen when an electron is kicked out. They found that the B state has a similar degree of excitation as the X state, contradicting previous models. Instead, a coherent interplay between light fields enables lasing ...

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2022

A perfect trap for light

Researchers from TU Wien and Hebrew University develop 'light trap' that allows complete absorption of light in thin layers using mirrors and lenses. The system works by steering the light beam into a circle and then superimposing it on itself, blocking any escape.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 29, 2022

A perfect trap for light

A team of researchers from TU Wien and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a 'light trap' that absorbs light perfectly in thin layers. This method uses mirrors and lenses to steer the light beam into a circle and then superimpose it on itself, preventing the light from escaping.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2022

Rare-earth-based lasing in multiple bands simultaneously

Researchers successfully demonstrate room-temperature multiband microlasers spanning a large wavelength range using rare earth elements. The lasing process combines downshifting and upconversion, expanding the emission wavelength range. The resulting microlasers exhibit good intensity stability and are suitable for practical applications.

Following ultrafast magnetization dynamics in depth

Scientists at Max Born Institute create novel method to probe magnetic thin film systems, identifying heat injection from platinum layer as cause of magnetization changes. The approach allows femtosecond temporal and nanometer spatial resolution, paving way for studying ultrafast magnetism and device-relevant geometries.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2022