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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

Scientists discover surprising new way to control light

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have discovered that light can be programmed using its natural geometry, allowing for the creation of structured light with unique properties. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for fields such as medicine, data transmission, and quantum technologies.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

Racetrack-shaped lasers for bright, stable frequency combs

A new laser source generates a specific type of light source called a frequency comb in the mid-infrared region, paving the way for miniaturization. The device overcomes engineering challenges to produce bright, stable, and compact frequency combs.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 2, 2026
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Anisotropic 2D crystal with hyperbolic localized plasmon resonances

Hyperbolic localized plasmon resonances were achieved in an anisotropic two-dimensional crystal, enabling tunable optical chirality and potential applications in miniaturized photonic components, spectroscopic sensors, and molecular fingerprinting.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2026

A dynamic twist of light’s ‘handedness’

The Harvard researchers' new device is elegantly designed to be tunable, with a bilayer design that becomes geometrically chiral and able to 'read' chiral light. By using the MEMS device to continuously vary the twist angle and interlayer spacing, the team showed they could tune the device's intrinsic ability to read different chiral l...

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

An unexpected breakthrough in flat optics

A team from Harvard and University of Lisbon found that silica, a low-refractive index material, can be used for making metasurfaces despite long-held assumptions. They discovered that by carefully considering the geometry of each nanopillar, silica behaves as a metasurface, enabling efficient design of devices with relaxed feature sizes.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2026

Quantum uncertainty tamed at the University of Arizona

The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2025

Major step for flat and adjustable optics

Scientists at Linköping University have made a significant breakthrough in creating controllable flat optics using nanostructures on a flat surface. By precisely controlling the distance between antennas, they achieved up to tenfold improvement in performance, opening up new avenues for applications such as video holograms and biomedic...

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2025
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.

Polarization control of photonic molecules with evanescent wave coupling

A team of scientists has achieved full polarization control of photons through photonic molecules consisting of two 1D photonic crystal nanobeam cavities. The coupling between PMs is influenced by air gap d and relative displacement s, allowing for high controllability. This breakthrough enables direct control of the local optical fiel...

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 16, 2025

Scientists create optical device that mimics black holes

Researchers have designed an optical device that functions as an optical black hole or white hole, behaving like a cosmic object that either swallows or repels light. This device relies on coherent perfect absorption of light waves and offers new possibilities for manipulating light-matter interactions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateApr 15, 2025

Illuminating the twist: light-driven inversion of supramolecular chirality

The study successfully manipulated the formation of left-handed or right-handed helical aggregates using precise light control, exhibiting promising insights into novel functional materials. The researchers found that residual aggregates acted as nucleation sites forming oppositely directed helical assemblies under certain conditions.

SourceChiba University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Integrated photonic polarizers with 2D reduced graphene oxide

Integrated photonic polarizers with 2D reduced graphene oxide are reported, achieving up to 47-dB polarization-dependent loss and 16-dB polarization extinction ratio. The devices exhibit better performance than those with graphene oxide, demonstrating the potential of 2D materials in high-performance optical polarizers.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalOpto-Electronic Science·DateApr 10, 2025

Doubling down on metasurfaces

A new bilayer metasurface, made of two stacked layers of titanium dioxide nanostructures, has been created by Harvard researchers. This device can precisely control the behavior of light, including polarization, and opens up a new avenue for metasurfaces.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 1, 2025

Terahertz wave control for enhanced wireless and biomedical technology

The device enables precise control over terahertz wave polarization, revolutionizing applications such as data transmission, imaging, and sensing. This innovation promises to transform fields like wireless communication and biomedical imaging.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 24, 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.

Detecting glucose through painless photoacoustics

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science use polarized light to measure glucose concentration with near clinical accuracy in water, serum solutions and tissue samples. The technique exploits the interaction between glucose molecules and polarized light to create unique sound wave patterns.

SourceIndian Institute of Science (IISc)·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 20, 2025

Holograms with a twist: Entangling light and information

Researchers have created quantum holograms using metasurfaces and nonlinear crystals, enabling precise control over entangled information. The technology holds promise for practical applications in quantum communication and anti-counterfeiting, with potential to increase information capacity and reduce system size.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 12, 2025

Metasurface higher-order poincaré sphere polarization detection clock

A team of scientists developed a general polarization metrology method capable of detecting SoP on any HOPS, featuring miniaturized size and simple detection process. The metasurface photonics polarization clock enables fully characterization of beams via a single measurement.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 6, 2025

Hybrid states of light and matter may significantly enhance OLED brightness

Researchers developed a theoretical model predicting substantial increase in OLED brightness by leveraging polaritons, promising improved efficiency and brightness. The study proposes new materials discovery and architecture development to achieve single-molecule strong coupling or tailored molecules for polariton OLEDs.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateFeb 24, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Designing molecules that produce color-changing circular light for 3D displays and security printing

Scientists develop mechanochromic luminescence using chiral pyrenylprolinamides, a significant step towards widespread implementation of materials with switchable solid-state CPL. The findings provide new design guidelines for creating molecules that enable solid-state CPL switching through mechanical stimuli.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 10, 2025

The art and science of twisting light

A team of researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed a new type of metasurface that can generate circularly polarized light without complex optical setups. The metasurface exhibits chirality, enabling it to convert arbitrary optical excitation into circularly polarized light at specific frequency ranges.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 17, 2025

Revealing the “true colors” of a single-atom layer of metal alloys

Researchers demonstrate that light can interact with a single-atom layer of thallium-lead alloys, restricting spin-polarized current flow to one direction. This phenomenon enables functionality beyond ordinary diodes and paves the way for ultra-fine two-dimensional spintronic devices.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2025
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Exploiting optical materials to capture hidden data through new imaging approach

Researchers have developed a novel imaging device called Nonlocal-Cam that extracts additional spectral and polarization information, empowering new applications in machine vision and microscopy. The camera leverages nonlocal dispersion in optically active materials to capture hidden data.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateDec 8, 2024

Researchers develop polarization photodetector mimicking desert ant

Chinese researchers have developed an on-chip integrated polarization photodetector inspired by desert ants' ability to perceive polarized sunlight. The team created a high-crystalline perovskite single-crystal-thin film with quadridirectional grating arrays, enabling a simple and cost-effective polarization imaging system.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 4, 2024

Subcycle conservation law in strong-field ionization

Researchers have identified a subcycle conservation law between angular momentum and energy during strong-field ionization, as revealed by the analysis of correlated spectrum of angular momentum and energy. This law remains applicable down to the subcycle level, offering new understanding of light-matter interactions.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·DateOct 30, 2024
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Unidirectional imaging technology breakthrough

Researchers at UCLA developed a new type of imaging technology that forms images in only one direction, enabling efficient and compact methods for asymmetric visual information processing and communication. The technology works exceptionally well under partially coherent light, achieving high-quality imaging with high power efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateOct 29, 2024

Novel 2D electro-polaritonic platform for future miniaturized spectrometers

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking 2D electro-polaritonic platform that integrates detection with the same material, overcoming limitations of traditional optical techniques. This breakthrough enables spectrally resolved electrical detection of nanoresonators and significantly enhances photodetection efficiency.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 22, 2024

Faster, more sensitive lung cancer detection from a blood draw

Researchers developed a microchip that captures exosomes from blood plasma to identify signs of lung cancer, achieving 10x faster detection and 14x greater sensitivity. The chip uses twisted gold nanoparticles to distinguish between healthy patients and those with lung cancer.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalMatter·DateOct 3, 2024

New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images

A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 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.

Breaking through silicon

The team achieves nanofabrication of nanostructures buried deep inside silicon wafers, enabling sub-wavelength and multi-dimensional control directly inside the material. The breakthrough opens up new possibilities for developing nano-scale systems with unique architectures.

SourceBilkent University Faculty of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 16, 2024

SLAC’s high-speed electron camera uncovers a new ‘light-twisting’ behavior in an ultrathin material

Researchers discovered a promising approach to manipulating light in an ultrathin material that could be useful for devices like LEDs and medical imaging. The study used SLAC's world-leading instrument to visualize the electric and magnetic fields of terahertz pulses, indicating circular polarization in the material.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2024

New technique offers unprecedented control over light at terahertz frequencies

This breakthrough enables generation and manipulation of light with both spin and orbital angular momentum at terahertz frequencies. The new technique holds promise for advancing terahertz technologies in fields like spectroscopy, sensing, and communication.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateJul 9, 2024
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Can large-area, three-dimensional metamaterials revolutionize optical sensing?

Researchers developed a 3D metamaterial capable of detecting polarization and direction of light, overcoming limitations of conventional optical devices. The breakthrough technology utilizes pi-shaped metal nanostructures with numerical aperture-detector polarimetry to analyze light distribution.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 18, 2024

Ants detect and monitor low levels of moonlight to navigate at night

Researchers found that nocturnal bull ants can detect exceedingly low levels of polarised moonlight produced throughout the lunar month to navigate during the night. The ants altered their direction in response to changing rotations of overhead lunar light polarisation, suggesting a stable cue across the lunar cycle.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateJun 11, 2024

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

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
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.

Low-loss and polarization insensitive 32 x 4 optical switch for ROADM applications

A new paper demonstrates a low-loss and polarization-independent integrated optical colorless ROADM with a 32 x 4 optical switch. The device boasts below 2 dB fiber-to-fiber loss at 1550 nm, making it suitable for applications such as optical neural networks and integrated quantum photonics.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 8, 2024

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
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Study shows: 2D materials rotate light polarization

A German-Indian research team has achieved a significant breakthrough in developing miniaturized optical isolators by utilizing ultra-thin two-dimensional materials. The researchers successfully rotated the polarization of visible light by several degrees under small magnetic fields, paving the way for on-chip integration of optical co...

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2024

Gigahertz-rate switchable wavefront shaping by LNOI-empowered metasurface

A team of researchers has successfully integrated a metasurface with photonic integrated circuits, enabling fast and tunable control over light manipulation. The device can shape any wavefront in reconfigurable arbitrary polarization states at speeds of up to 1.4 gigahertz.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateApr 16, 2024

Will the convergence of light and matter in Janus particles transcend performance limitations in the optical display industry?

Researchers pioneer technique to control polaritons, unlocking potential for next-generation materials and surpassing performance limitations of optical displays. The breakthrough enables stable generation of polariton particles with enhanced brightness and color control.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 8, 2024

Can metalens be commercialized at a fraction of the cost?

Researchers have developed two innovative methods for mass-producing metalenses, reducing production costs by up to 1,000 times. The team achieved successful creation of large-scale infrared metalenses with high resolution and exceptional light-collecting capabilities.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·DateMar 27, 2024
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

New software boosts accuracy of tech to measure crop health

Researchers developed a new tool to improve the accuracy of electronic devices that measure plant leaf color to assess health. The software uses polarization to account for variations in light and reduce errors caused by glare.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPlant Phenomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 25, 2024

Novel method for controlling light polarization

Researchers have developed a novel method for controlling light polarization using liquid crystals, allowing for dynamic manipulation of holographic images. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize various fields, including augmented reality, data storage, and encryption.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateMar 18, 2024

Polarization-sensitive tomography made easy with T2oFu

The T2oFu method offers a new approach to quantitative phase and polarization-sensitive tomography, enabling high-contrast images of muscle fibers with implications for diagnosing skeletal myopathies. The technique has been successfully tested on heart tissue samples with cardiac amyloidosis, providing promising results.

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

Harnessing light with hemispherical shells

A new research proposes a hemispherical shell shape to optimize organic photovoltaic cells, achieving a 66% increase in light absorption and improved angular coverage. The study presents advanced computational analysis, revealing the remarkable capabilities of this innovative design.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateFeb 16, 2024
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulators

Researchers have developed a new approach to polarization-independent liquid-crystal phase modulation using a light-controlled azimuth angle (LCAA) process. This process creates single-layer, multi-microdomain, orthogonally twisted structures with precise alignment, enabling high phase retardation and low polarization dependence.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateNov 30, 2023
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.

Orbital-angular-momentum-encoded diffractive networks for object classification tasks

Researchers developed three diffractive deep neural networks using orbital angular momentum to recognize objects in images, achieving accuracy comparable to wavelength and polarization-based models. The technology has potential for real-time processing applications like image recognition and data-intensive tasks.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 27, 2023

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023