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Visualizing spatial chirality with terahertz imaging

Scientists create a moiré metasurface to map right- and left-handed regions in materials, visualizing chirality as two-dimensional images. The new approach resolves chirality distributions with a resolution of approximately 100 μm.

SourceChiba University·JournalACS Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 2, 2026
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

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
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.

A multimodal light manipulator

Researchers at Harvard created a new type of interferometer that can modulate aspects of light in one compact package, enabling precise control over light's frequency and intensity. This breakthrough has the potential to be used in advanced nanophotonic sensors or on-chip quantum computing.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

Matter at the crossroads

Researchers at Weizmann Institute create innovative method to track rapid material changes using two laser beams, enabling precise reconstruction of optical delay changes. This advance could lead to the development of fastest processors possible, increasing data transmission speed.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 13, 2025

X-ray snapshot: How light bends an active substance

Researchers used X-ray light to analyze the structure of 2-thiouracil, a substance with medically relevant properties. The study found that UV radiation causes the molecule to bend, resulting in the protrusion of the sulfur atom and making it reactive.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2025
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.

Award-winning research may unlock universe’s origins

Ben Jones, a UTA physicist, has been recognized for his contributions to developing advanced instruments used in particle physics research. His work focuses on uncovering the origin of neutrino mass and sheds light on fundamental physics at extremely small scales.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateFeb 24, 2025

SNU-KAIST researchers jointly develop a new visible light communication encryption technology using chiral nanoparticles

The SNU-KAIST joint research team developed a novel visible light communication encryption technology with high security using chiral nanoparticles. This technology uses unclonable nanoparticles like fingerprints to encrypt information, making it impossible to intercept without detailed information about the nanoparticles.

SourceSeoul National University College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2024

New technique could unlock potential of quantum materials

A new technique, RODAS, combines imaging and spectroscopy to capture fleeting atomic structures, providing unprecedented insights into material properties. This allows for rapid analysis without destroying the sample, enabling the study of defects and their influence on material behavior.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2024

Researchers observe hidden deformations in complex light fields

Researchers at Tampere University have observed hidden deformations in complex light fields for the first time. These deformations carry significant information about the object, such as its material properties. The study has implications for measuring material properties with structured waves and will inspire new optical technologies.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 1, 2024
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.

Coherence entropy unlocks new insights into light-field behavior

Researchers at Soochow University introduced coherence entropy as a global characterization of light fields subjected to random fluctuations. Coherence entropy remains stable during the propagation of light through complex media, making it a robust indicator of light field behavior in non-ideal conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 13, 2024

Researchers demonstrate the first chip-based 3D printer

The researchers developed a single millimeter-scale photonic chip that emits reconfigurable beams of light into a well of resin, curing into a solid shape when exposed to the beam's wavelength. Shapes can be fully formed in a matter of seconds using this chip-based 3D printer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateJun 10, 2024

Sorting complex light beams: A breakthrough in optical physics

A groundbreaking study introduces a method for sorting vector structured beams with spin-multiplexed diffractive metasurfaces, promising significant advancements in optical communication and quantum computing. This technology enables precise control over complex light beams, opening new avenues for scientific exploration.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateMay 31, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unveiling a polarized world – in a single shot

Scientists at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a compact, single-shot polarization imaging system that can provide a complete picture of polarization. The system uses two thin metasurfaces to capture the most complete polarization response of an object in real-time.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 2, 2024

Highly efficient GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

GaN-based VCSELs have potential applications in adaptive headlights, retinal scanning displays, and high-speed visible light communication systems due to their high efficiency and low fabrication cost. The new method for precise cavity length control enables highly controlled fabrication of VCSELs with aperture sizes ranging from 5 to ...

SourceMeijo University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024

Nanoscale CL thermometry with lanthanide-doped heavy-metal oxide in TEM

Researchers at UNIST have developed a method to measure nanometer-sized samples within a transmission electron microscope, utilizing nano-thermometers based on cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. The technique offers improved accuracy and spatial resolution compared to conventional methods.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalACS Nano·DateMar 7, 2024
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.

Adaptive optics at the speed of light

Scientists have created a way to correct distorted light patterns in real time without needing to reapply the same distortion. This method uses nonlinear optics and exploits difference frequency generation to produce an aberration-free output beam.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 5, 2024

Enhanced 3D chemical imaging with phase-modulation

A new method for phase-modulated stimulated Raman scattering tomography enables rapid, label-free 3D chemical imaging of live cells and tissues. This technique improves lateral resolution and imaging depth compared to conventional methods.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 22, 2024
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.

New imaging technique measures elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously

A new imaging technique, multifocal acoustic radiation force-based reverberant optical coherence elastography (RevOCE), has been developed to measure the elasticity of multiple eye components simultaneously. This approach offers high resolution measurements of the stiffness of eye structures and could revolutionize how we study ocular ...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateSep 12, 2023

Exploring light neutron-rich nuclei: First observation of oxygen-28

Researchers have observed the decay of two neutron-rich isotopes, oxygen-28 and oxygen-27, providing new insights into nuclear structure. The study's findings suggest that these isotopes do not exhibit a closed shell structure, challenging current theories and offering opportunities for further investigation.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2023
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.

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

Researchers find distortion-free forms of structured light

Researchers from University of the Witwatersrand developed a new approach to studying complex light in complex systems. They found distortion-free forms of structured light that emerge undistorted from noisy channels, unlike other forms of structured light which become unrecognizable. This breakthrough has the potential to pave the wa...

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 8, 2023

Powering neutron science

Researchers at Osaka University developed a laser-driven neutron source, enabling extremely rapid elemental analysis. The study found that increasing laser intensity yields neutrons proportional to the fourth power, allowing for faster identification of elements in samples.

SourceOsaka University·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

A quantum of an angle

Researchers at TU Wien have directly measured the fine structure constant using a thin film that rotates light polarisation, revealing an astonishing quantum jump related to this fundamental constant. This measurement provides new insights into the strength of electromagnetic interactions.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2022

Through thick and thin: X-rays track the behavior of soft materials

Scientists explore the dynamics of soft materials like toothpaste and hair gel using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The technique reveals microscopic dynamics and helps understand properties like viscosity and elasticity. Insights gained can aid in designing consumer products, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2022
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.

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

Light travelling in a distorting medium can appear undistorted

A team of researchers has discovered a property of light that remains unchanged in complex media, allowing for distortion-free communication and sensing. By applying a novel quantum approach, they showed that all light has this invariant property, which can be exploited to correct distortions without losing any light.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 24, 2022

Vectorial metrics reveal complex optical information

Researchers developed a new framework to extract meaningful vectorial metrics from Mueller matrix elements, providing insights into exotic material characterization and precise cancer boundary detection. The framework establishes a universal metric for calculating different physical properties of target objects.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 29, 2022
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.

Donuts and laser beams

Topologists have successfully applied their tools to lasers, enabling the creation of a laser beam whose energies follow a topologically non-trivial loop. This property leads to unique amplification patterns in the light emitted by the laser.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 28, 2022

Fundamental particles modelled in beam of light

Researchers have successfully created an experimental model of a skyrmion particle in a beam of light, providing a real system to demonstrate the behavior of this elusive type of fundamental particle. The study reveals the intricate structure and topological properties of skyrmions, which can be distorted but not broken.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Topological valley Hall edge solitons in photonics

Researchers discovered a novel topological edge soliton that inherits topological protection from its linear counterpart, enabling robust and localized light beams. This breakthrough is achieved through nonlinear photorefractive lattices harnessing the valley Hall effect, without requiring an external magnetic field.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2021
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.

Magnetic tuning at the nanoscale

Researchers from HZDR create stable, periodically arranged nanomagnets using a helium-ion microscope. The device optimizes material properties, including carbon nanotubes, and finds applications in spintronic devices and sensing technology.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalSmall·DateNov 12, 2019

Scientists make transparent materials absorb light

Researchers from Russia, Sweden, and the US demonstrate a highly unusual optical effect by creating a transparent material that appears to absorb light. The material, made of a thin layer of a transparent dielectric, accumulates light energy through mathematical properties of the scattering matrix, making it appear perfectly absorbing.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalOptica·DateNov 29, 2017

Models clarify physics at photocathode surfaces

The study used 3D models to simulate electron emissions from photocathodes with flat and varied surface roughness. The results improved understanding of how smooth surfaces must be and over what spatial scales, aiding in the design of ultra-bright photon and electron sources.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 25, 2017
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.