Lasers
Articles tagged with Lasers
Tiny flexible lasers enable force sensing inside living cells
Researchers developed tiny flexible lasers that can measure forces inside living cells, enabling insights into biological processes such as early development and tumor progression. The micro-lasers exhibit mechanical stiffness similar to living cells and can measure forces up to 50 nanonewtons.
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.
Scientists unlock new route to extreme light intensities
A team of physicists has discovered a way to boost the intensity of high-power laser light, opening up new possibilities for experiments in quantum electrodynamics. The breakthrough uses an unusual process to create extremely bright ultraviolet light, which can be focused into a tiny point creating immense energy concentration.
Aston University researcher helps solve a decades-old ultrafast lasers puzzle
Researchers have developed a unified mathematical model explaining two types of 'breathing' solitons in ultrafast lasers, overcoming decades-old puzzle. The new framework accurately predicts complex behaviors and reveals underlying mechanisms.
Ultra-sensitive multi-band infrared polarization photodetector based on 1T'-MoTe2/2H-MoTe2 van der Waals heterostructure
The device exhibits outstanding performance across a broad optical spectrum, with high responsivity and specific detectivity. Its polarization-sensitive detection capability enables the direct deciphering of light's polarization state without external filters.
Perovskite nanocrystals in glass for high-efficiency and ultra-high resolution dynamic displays
Researchers develop fluoride-engineered perovskite nanocrystal glass for high-efficiency, full-color emission and ultra-high-resolution holographic displays. The glass matrix enables stable and efficient photoluminescence of PNCs, driving the creation of high-quality dynamic displays.
When light gets trapped at nanoscale: New ways to power the future of optoelectronics
Researchers explore new design strategies for metasurfaces and BICs, enabling scalable light control and efficient optoelectronic platforms. These advances have practical implications for applications in lasing, sensing, nonlinear optics, wavefront shaping, and imaging.
How an algorithm is curing 3D printing’s cracking problem
A team of researchers developed a machine learning framework to optimize laser settings for printing crack-susceptible superalloys. The algorithm reduced internal crack density by 99% and increased the metal's high-temperature strength, surpassing traditional cast components.
Researchers use lasers to turn leather into wearable power
A new method creates flexible microsupercapacitors on vegetable-tanned leather using a CO2 laser, enabling eco-friendly and durable energy storage. The technology has potential applications in wearable electronics, smart clothing, and skin-mounted sensors.
Machine learning designs cheaper and rust-proof steel for 3D printing
A new class of ultra-high strength and ductility steel has been created using machine learning, achieving a rare balance of extreme strength and ductility. The resulting metal resists corrosion and degrades slowly in salt-water tests.
Trinity team's new chip-scale light technology could power faster AI and data centre communications
Researchers developed a new way to generate stable signals of light using microscopic ring-shaped devices, enabling the production of optical frequency combs. This technology has the potential to simplify system design and improve efficiency in high-speed optical communications for data centres.
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.
Quantum researchers engineer extremely precise phonon lasers
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a squeezed phonon laser that precisely controls individual particles of vibration or sound, allowing for accurate measurements of gravity and other forces. This technology has the potential to create more accurate, 'unjammable' navigation systems without relying on satellites.
Laser-etched ‘synthetic skin’ defies -50°c and weak sunlight to eliminate extreme ice
Researchers have created a dark, rubbery film that combines physical textures with light-absorbing nanotubes to keep surfaces ice-free at -50 °C. The film operates using a two-tier defense mechanism, providing both passive and active anti-de-icing capabilities.
How adding a microwave to a 3D printer makes flawless and heat-proof ceramics
Researchers used microwave-based 3D printing to create ceramic components with near-zero porosity and improved strength. The hybrid technique eliminates microscopic holes and traps gas bubbles, allowing for more bending force before breaking.
New ‘vacuum ultraviolet’ laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks
Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have demonstrated a new kind of vacuum ultraviolet laser that is 100 to 1,000 times more efficient than existing technologies. The device could enable scientists to observe phenomena currently out of reach, such as following fuel molecules in real time as they undergo combustion, spottin...
IEEE researchers achieve low-power ultrashort mid-IR pulse compression
A team of researchers from SASTRA Deemed University demonstrates a fiber-based method for compressing mid-infrared laser pulses into ultrashort, low-noise bursts efficiently. The system reduces input power from kilowatts to 80 watts, improving energy efficiency and thermal stability.
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.
Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed high-performing optical microresonators that can trap light and build up its intensity. By guiding light smoothly through the resonator, they dramatically reduced light loss, allowing photons to circulate longer and interact more strongly inside the device.
Novel laser therapy device generates promising results in prostate cancer clinical trial
A clinical trial has shown that a novel cooled laser focal therapy device can effectively treat prostate cancer with minimal side effects. The treatment provided similar cancer-related outcomes to traditional methods but with an improved safety profile and low rates of incontinence.
Scientists engineer unsinkable metal tubes
Researchers at the University of Rochester create a new process to turn ordinary metal tubes unsinkable by etching micro- and nano-pits on their surface, making them superhydrophobic. The tubes stay afloat in water, even when damaged or submerged for extended periods.
Researchers publish new guide to measuring spacetime fluctuations
Researchers developed a unified framework to measure spacetime fluctuations, enabling clear targets for experiments. The study provides measurable signatures for different categories of fluctuations, expanding the possibilities for testing quantum-gravity predictions.
It started with a cat: How 100 years of quantum weirdness powers today’s tech
Dr. Marlan Scully traces the journey of quantum mechanics, from its quirky beginnings to its role in solving science's toughest challenges, including quantum computing, cryptography, and gravitational wave detection.
The world’s first room temperature continuous-wave UV-B laser diode on a sapphire substrate
Researchers at Meijo University have developed the world's first continuous-wave UV-B semiconductor laser diode operating at room temperature on a low-cost sapphire substrate. The achievement advances compact, energy-efficient UV light sources for various applications.
Hong Kong researchers break the single-field barrier with dual-field assisted diamond cutting
Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University create a new machining method that combines laser and magnetic fields to machine advanced materials like high-entropy alloys. The dual-field approach produces smoother surfaces, reduced damage, and improved material removal rates.
When light teaches materials to self-organize: Writing nature-like 3D nanowrinkles
Scientists create natural surfaces with 3D nanowrinkles that control light, liquids, and living cells. The method uses laser polarization to guide the material's organization, enabling precise control over wrinkle formation and applications in bio-inspired surfaces and sensors.
A multi-material microrobot that can grasp, carry and release a cell
A team of researchers developed a multi-material, multi-module microrobot that can grab, carry and release microscopic objects. The microrobot features two parts: one reacts to pH changes to grip an object, while the other responds to magnetic fields for movement.
Goodbye stereolithography: Scientists develop a faster and finer way to 3d print metal
Researchers create a new method for laser-based powder bed fusion that achieves unprecedented lattice walls and surfaces while reducing memory demand. The approach enables the high-fidelity fabrication of microscale shell lattices with improved strength and toughness.
Tiny new device could enable giant future quantum computers
Researchers have developed a nearly 100 times smaller device that can efficiently control lasers required for thousands of qubits, unlocking potential for larger quantum computers. The device uses microwave-frequency vibrations to manipulate laser light with extraordinary precision.
Trapping particles to explain lightning
Researchers at ISTA use laser tweezers to capture and charge micron-sized particles, allowing them to observe charging and discharging dynamics over time. This method may provide key insights into what sparks lightning.
Laser links to bolster the next generation of satellite mega-constellations
The University of Michigan's three-year project, ORACLE, harnesses laser links for power and momentum transfer, enabling satellites to move without fuel. This innovation aims to transform constellations into dynamic, interconnected systems, improving sustainability and resilience.
IEEE study reviews novel photonics breakthroughs of 2024
Researchers reviewed novel photonics breakthroughs of 2024, focusing on coupling free electrons with nonlinear optical states in integrated photonic microresonators. This enables ultrafast electron-beam modulation and novel research opportunities for electron imaging and spectroscopy.
A new post-processing route to improve tensile strength and ductility in 3d-printed alloys
A new post-processing route improves tensile strength and ductility in 3D-printed alloys by combining deep cryogenic treatment and laser shock peening. This method transforms the microscopic structure of 3D-printed metals, relieving internal stresses and enhancing mechanical resilience.
Successful ground-to-satellite laser communications applying next-generation error correction codes, mitigating atmospheric turbulence
Researchers have successfully demonstrated next-generation error correction codes to mitigate the impact of atmospheric turbulence on ground-to-satellite laser communications. The new codes significantly improved communication quality compared to conventional schemes, enabling practical implementation of ground-to-satellite laser links.
High-throughput inkless printing: Laser-generated dry aerosols enable green manufacturing of electronics
Researchers have developed Laser Ablation Dry Aerosol Printing (LADAP) that generates nanoparticles from solid targets using pulsed laser ablation, enabling the printing of metals and oxides without inks. The technique produces structures with fine-resolution microstructures and thick deposition within a high-throughput process.
Laser 'writes' and 'bends': A dual-laser method creates adaptive, shape-locking devices in situ
Researchers develop novel dual-laser method to create adaptive, shape-locking devices. The material integrates a shape-memory polymer skeleton with magnetic microcapsules, allowing for 'writing' and 'bending' of instructions and shapes in situ.
Scientists use single-step laser ablation to fabricate ultra-uniform structures smaller than 50 nanometers
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University create a new method for fabricating ultra-uniform surface structures with features as small as 46 nanometers. The technique uses a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion, overcoming the challenge of creating uniform nanostructures smaller than 100 nanometers.
Laser targets pancreatic tumors by homing in on collagen
Researchers developed a new laser-based technique that targets pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) while leaving healthy tissue intact. The technique uses a mid-infrared laser at a wavelength strongly absorbed by collagen fibers to ablate cancerous tissue, improving efficiency compared to non-resonant wavelengths.
Press registration and scientific program now available for plasma physics meeting
Hundreds of physicists from around the world will convene to present new research at the 67th annual meeting of the American Physical Society’s Division of Plasma Physics. The conference features presentations on fusion energy, plasma turbulence, laser plasma acceleration, and more.
Portable, self-cleaning, electrochromic window towards enhanced solar modulation
Researchers developed an all-flexible, self-cleaning smart window that fine-tunes solar gain in real time and protects against environmental contaminants. The device's multifunctionality could accelerate green building development and address climate change concerns.
Measuring electron pulses for future compact ultrabright X-ray sources
Researchers mapped key aspects of electron pulses that can generate laser-like X-ray pulses, improving access to XFELs. The technique enables studying molecule behavior in detail and advancing fields like chemistry and medicine.
New laser “comb” can enable rapid identification of chemicals with extreme precision
Researchers at MIT have developed a compact frequency comb that can accurately detect and identify chemicals in real-time, with high scalability and flexibility. The device uses a carefully crafted mirror to generate a stable frequency comb with very broad bandwidth, overcoming the challenge of dispersion limitations.
Researchers boost performance of perovskite lasers by suppressing energy-draining process
A research team at Zhejiang University has demonstrated a simple method to overcome the problem of Auger recombination in perovskite lasers, leading to record-setting performance for near-continuous operation. By suppressing this process, researchers were able to sustain carrier densities required for efficient stimulated emission.
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.
Black metal could give a heavy boost to solar power generation
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a new type of solar thermoelectric generator that can harness thermal energy in addition to sunlight. The device is 15 times more efficient than current state-of-the-art devices, making it a promising source of renewable energy.
Printing uniform, high-strength SiC ceramics at 1100 °C in one step
Researchers developed a new 3D printing method that creates strong, high-quality silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic parts at lower temperatures. The method uses vat-polymerization and adds silica to improve material quality, resulting in comparable strength to ceramics sintered at higher temperatures.
CU Denver develops quantum tool that may lead to gamma-ray lasers and access the multiverse
CU Denver engineer Aakash Sahai develops a quantum breakthrough that can help turn sci-fi into reality, enabling the creation of safe gamma ray lasers and accessing the fabric underlying the universe. The technology has the potential to open up new fields of study and have a direct impact on the world.
New deep learning model shed light on the dynamics of multicolor solitons
Researchers developed a smart neural network model that combines CNNs and RNNs to predict multicolor soliton evolution, surpassing limitations of standard frameworks. The dual-channel system accurately tracks changes in energy, wavelength, and phase with remarkable accuracy.
Encapsulation-free thin-film sensors enable accurate sensing at 950 ℃
Researchers developed a novel fabrication method for thin-film temperature sensors that operate across an exceptionally wide temperature range, from –50 °C to 950 °C. The technique eliminates the need for complex protective layers, making it faster and cheaper to produce sensors.
Measuring air pollutants in real time: ERC proof of concept grant for TU Graz physicist
Birgitta Schultze-Bernhardt is developing a portable device that can determine the concentration of several gaseous pollutants in ambient air with utmost accuracy, measuring three pollutants simultaneously. The device will enable real-time monitoring of pollution levels in cities and industrial areas.
Teaching lasers to self-correct in high-precision patterned laser micro-grooving
A new laser machining method enables high-precision patterned laser micro-grooving with root mean square errors below 0.5 μm. This technique allows for rapid and scalable manufacturing of custom microstructures, advancing applications in microfluidic devices, sensors, and heat dissipation systems.
Smarter metal 3D printing to control quality in large-scale manufacturing
Researchers develop smart planning systems to predict weld bead geometry and optimize deposition paths, reducing thermal stresses and defect rates. Innovations in real-time monitoring and auxiliary strategies improve material integrity and mechanical properties.
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.
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...
Scientists achieve shortest hard X-ray pulses to date
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison achieved the shortest hard X-ray pulses to date through strong lasing phenomena. The resulting pulses can be used for visualizing electron motion inside molecules and have potential applications in quantum X-ray optics.
Oxford physicists recreate extreme quantum vacuum effects
Researchers from Oxford University and the Instituto Superior Técnico recreated the quantum vacuum effect, a state previously thought to be empty but predicted to contain virtual electron-positron pairs. The simulation reveals new insights into how intense laser beams alter the quantum vacuum, enabling future high-energy experiments.
Semi-automated manufacturing process for cost-efficient quantum cascade laser modules
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics has developed a semi-automated process for producing quantum cascade laser modules with MOEMS and EC, simplifying production and reducing costs. The technology enables spectral tunability and high brilliance, making it suitable for various spectroscopy applications.
New laser smaller than a penny can measure objects at ultrafast rates
Researchers have developed a new laser device smaller than a penny that can conduct extremely fast and accurate measurements by precisely changing its color across a broad spectrum of light. The laser has applications ranging from guiding autonomous vehicles to detecting gravitational waves, a delicate experiment to observe our universe.
Laser technique revolutionizes ultra-high temperature ceramic manufacturing for space, defense applications
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique using lasers to create ceramics that can withstand ultra-high temperatures. The technique allows for the creation of ceramic coatings, tiles, or complex three-dimensional structures, enabling increased versatility in engineering new devices and technologies.