Researchers at NICT developed a novel structure for superconducting strip photon detectors, achieving high performance and polarization independence. The new technology enables the creation of wider strips, increasing productivity and reducing fabrication costs.
SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptica Quantum·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2023
Researchers at UEA have proposed a new method to investigate quantum-mechanical processes in molecules using quantum light. The study shows that phonon signatures can be detected in photon correlations, providing a toolbox for studying quantum sound interactions.
SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023
Researchers have developed an integrated THz vortex beam emitter to detect rotating targets with remarkable precision. The system uses spiraling electromagnetic waves with orbital angular momentum to accurately measure the speed of a rotating object, with a maximum margin of error of just around 2 percent.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateOct 20, 2023
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.
Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a new scattering matrix method that can sculpt light output with minimal optimization time. The method offers unparalleled nonlinear scattered light control, enabling high-resolution scanning microscopy and particle trapping through dense, scattering media.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 31, 2023
Metalenses have been developed with differentiated design principles to eliminate chromatic aberration. By merging bright spots into a single focusing spot, researchers achieved an efficiency of up to 43% and demonstrated the versatility of their approach for various optical applications.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 25, 2023
Researchers have implemented Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) as an independent information carrier for optical holography, leading to OAM multiplexed holography. The new design approach, MHC-OAM, uses spatial light modulators to achieve multiramp helical conical beams with different parameters serving as information encryption or decryp...
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 5, 2023
Researchers developed a fast and convenient method called polarized imaging dynamic light scattering (PIDLS) to evaluate nanoparticle size, morphology and distributions. The method uses optical sphericity to describe the degree of deviation from spheres and provides statistical morphological distribution.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers developed a polarization-angle-resolved Raman microscope to visualize disorder effects on ferroelectric polarization. The study reveals slow response of nanometer-scale electric polarization, enabling significant charge storage and enhanced dielectric properties.
SourceRitsumeikan University·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2023
Researchers found that formalin fixation does not significantly alter the polarimetric properties of brain tissue, making it suitable for training machine-learning models. The study suggests that formalin-fixed brain tissue specimens can provide high-quality data for rapid and accurate diagnostic imaging in surgery.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateMay 25, 2023
Scientists conducted computational simulations to clarify the origin of life on Earth. The study suggests that chiral asymmetry may have originated in space through CP Lyman-α emission line, influencing the production of biological amino acids.
SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMay 25, 2023
A team from Nanjing University and Sun Yat-Sen University developed a two-facing Janus OPO scheme for generating high-efficiency, high-purity broadband LG modes with tunable topological charge. The output LG mode has a tunable wavelength between 1.5 μm and 1.6 μm, with a conversion efficiency above 15 percent.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateApr 24, 2023
A team of researchers at the Max Born Institute developed a novel method for X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy using a laser-driven plasma source. This breakthrough enables precise determination of magnetic moments in buried layers without damaging samples, and can monitor ultrafast magnetization processes.
SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
Scientists at the Light Publishing Center discovered that elliptically polarized pulses can create larger concentrations of anisotropic nanopores in silica glass. This breakthrough allows for faster and lower-energy data storage in 5D optical systems.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateApr 3, 2023
Researchers have developed a new type of OLED display that uses strong coupling of light and matter to improve color saturation and brightness. The displays, known as polariton-based OLEDs, achieve this without compromising efficiency or viewing angle dependency.
SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023
Direct incorporation of a metasurface in a laser cavity enables spatiotemporally modulated laser pulses. Giant nonlinear saturable absorption allows pulsed laser generation via Q-switching process.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateFeb 23, 2023
Researchers report the discovery of photonic hopfions, a new family of 3D topological solitons with freely tunable textures and numbers. These structures exhibit robust topological protection, making them suitable for applications in optical communications, quantum technologies, and metrology.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJan 19, 2023
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.
A research team has detected circular polarization in two active repeating fast radio bursts and one non-repeater, increasing the number of FRBs with circular polarization from one to three. The detection of circular polarization sheds new light on the emission mechanism of FRBs.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalScience Bulletin·DateDec 26, 2022
A study in Nature Photonics reveals the fascinating properties of optical Möbius rings, which exhibit non-integer multiples of wavelength for resonance. The degree of ellipticity in polarization decreases as the strip width narrows, allowing for controlled Berry phase manipulation.
SourceChemnitz University of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 23, 2022
A new parallel peripheral-photoinhibition lithography system has been developed, enabling the fabrication of subdiffraction-limit features with high efficiency. The system uses two beams to excite and inhibit polymerization, allowing for nonperiodic and complex patterns to be printed simultaneously.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateDec 19, 2022
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.
A team of astrophysicists has successfully measured a gamma-ray burst's hidden energy by utilizing light polarization. The total explosion energy was found to be about 3.5 times bigger than previous estimates, shedding new light on the progenitor star's masses and the evolutionary history of the universe.
SourceTohoku University·JournalNature Astronomy·DateDec 19, 2022
Researchers at the University of Ottawa have developed a new technique to differentiate the mirror images of a chiral molecule, a problem that was believed to be unsolvable for nearly 20 years. The team used linear polarized helical light beams to enhance sensitivity and observed differential absorption in achiral molecules.
SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalNature Photonics·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 1, 2022
A new study published in Science found that a highly magnetised dead star, known as a magnetar, is likely to have a solid surface with no atmosphere. The research team used data from the NASA satellite IXPE to observe the polarisation of X-ray light emitted by the star, which revealed a signature consistent with a solid crust.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2022
Researchers use polarized X-ray measurements to refine models of black holes swallowing matter. The new data from Cygnus X-1 reveals a pencil-shaped plasma outflow and supports the hypothesis that processes near the black hole launch jets. This insight improves understanding of gravity's effects on space-time around black holes.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2022
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.
KAUST researchers have designed a smart glass system that can encode data into the light passing through it, allowing for wireless data transmission. The system uses polarization manipulation to eliminate flicker problems and can transmit data at rates of up to 16 Kilobits per second.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalIEEE Photonics Journal·DateNov 1, 2022
For the first time, scientists observed the annihilation of exceptional points from various degeneration points. The researchers used an optical resonator filled with liquid crystal to study the properties of exceptional points. They found that the position of these points can be controlled by changing the voltage applied to the cavity.
SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 14, 2022
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
Researchers developed a metasurface device with three working modes, exploiting nanostructures to manipulate light and create holographic or structural-color nanoprinting images. The device offers two layers of security for anticounterfeiting measures, providing a simple yet effective approach to fight against counterfeiting.
Scientists develop a method to produce atomically thin seams of light using in-plane heterostructures, enabling customizable strain and circularly polarized light. This technology has the potential to create efficient and chiral electroluminescence for applications in quantum optoelectronics.
SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateAug 27, 2022
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.
Customized fibers have been engineered to generate Bessel beams, opening up new applications in imaging and communications. The fibers use a technique called two-photon lithography to fabricate special beam-shaping elements, enabling the creation of compact Bessel beam generators.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalOptica·DateAug 9, 2022
A newly developed polarizer-embedded metalens microscope system achieves high-quality, wide-field imaging with a large depth-of-field, significantly expanding human eyesight to the microworld. The chip-scale device offers a thousand-fold reduction in volume and weight compared to traditional microscopes.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 28, 2022
Scientists explore how polarized light can create colorful artwork by manipulating transparent films between polarizers. This technique demonstrates key physics concepts, such as birefringence and retardance, in a visual and accessible way.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAmerican Journal of Physics·DateJul 22, 2022
Astronomers observe a star's destruction and discover that most of its material forms a spherical cloud, blocking high-energy emissions. The polarization of light from the event reveals symmetry in the cloud.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022
A novel technique can rapidly detect chiral molecules in complex gas mixtures, identifying fake perfumes and damaged plants. This approach has vast potential for agriculture, quality control of perfumes, and monitoring plant health.
SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 21, 2022
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.
Scientists have made a pivotal new breakthrough in controlling light to evolve the next generation of quantum sensing and computing. The team has shown that controlling light can be achieved by inducing and measuring a nonlinear phase shift down to a single polariton level.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 20, 2022
Researchers at the Lew lab have created a novel hardware and algorithm that enables visualization of cell membranes and molecular motions in six dimensions. This breakthrough allows for the observation of 3D structures with additional information on molecular orientation, providing new insights into biological systems.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalOptica·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 26, 2022
A new optical architecture enables high-speed, low-power computation of multiple linear transformations using light diffraction. The design allows for scalable parallel processing and can perform complex tasks such as image classification and encryption with enhanced multifunctionality.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 26, 2022
Scientists introduce a new type of structured light as high-dimensional information carriers for free-space optical communication, supporting thousands of independently spatial channels. The novel modal set has a highly consistent propagation behavior, enabling a divergence degeneracy as high as 20.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMay 25, 2022
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.
Researchers at Helmholtz Institute Jena set a new record for polarized X-ray purity with 8×10^−11, enabling experiments on quantum optics and charge distribution in solids. The discovery also holds promise for detecting vacuum birefringence and could provide clues to previously unknown elementary particles.
SourceGSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022
The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) mission enables new measurements of cosmic X-ray sources, such as pulsars, black holes, and neutron stars. With its state-of-the-art telescopes and detectors, IXPE will provide high-quality polarization data of various sources, including supernova remnants, active galaxies, and blazars.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Astronomical Telescopes Instruments and Systems·DateApr 22, 2022
A new measurement and imaging approach resolves nanostructures smaller than the diffraction limit without dyes or labels, using polarization and angle-resolved images of transmitted light. The method measures particle size and position with high accuracy, closing the gap between conventional microscopes and super-resolution techniques.
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
Physicists at the University of Warsaw have developed a new type of tunable microlaser that emits two linearly polarized beams, which can be controlled by rotating liquid crystal molecules. The laser has been shown to exhibit unique properties, including circular polarization and phase coherence.
SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateMar 23, 2022
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
Researchers developed a metasurface attachment that can turn any camera into a polarization camera, capturing light's polarization at every pixel. This innovation benefits various fields like face recognition, self-driving cars and remote sensing, revealing hidden details and features.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·DateMar 18, 2022
Research reveals organic aggregates can emit polychromic and white light with high efficiency, opening up new avenues for OLEDs and encryption. However, more work is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and improve performance.
SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJan 11, 2022
Researchers demonstrated Young's experiment for photons in reciprocal space, creating an interference pattern of light polarization with circular polarized stripes. The observation coincided with the 100th anniversary of spin discovery and showed a classic entanglement of two degrees of freedom - direction and polarization of light.
SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2021
Scientists have developed a new material, black phosphorous, only three atoms thick, which can control light with unprecedented precision. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize telecommunications and pave the way for Li-Fi, a light-based replacement for Wi-Fi.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateOct 22, 2021
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.
A team at Tampere University has created a metamaterial eENZ mirror that can control the correlation properties of light, switching between high and low correlation states. By manipulating polarization, they achieve near-perfect coherence switching.
SourceTampere University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 13, 2021
Researchers generate circularly polarized light at room temperature, a breakthrough for optical quantum information processing. The device uses strained semiconductors to produce twisting 'chiral' valley-polarized light, promising vast data storage capabilities.
SourceNagoya University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 13, 2021
Researchers discovered false optical activity in Raman spectroscopic analysis of vitamin B12 and its derivatives, leading to misinterpretations of data. The phenomenon was attributed to circular dichroism and can be computationally modeled or adapted to measurement methods.
SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021
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.
Researchers have solved the paradox of the mysterious polarization of the sodium D1 line, revealing that magnetic fields in the solar chromosphere are not entirely unmagnetized. The solution uses complex theoretical modeling and resolves a long-standing debate in solar physics.
SourceInstituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 18, 2021
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have demonstrated a new way to control polarized light using metasurfaces, enabling holographic images with an unlimited number of polarization states and manipulation in virtually infinite directions. This advancement could lead to applications in imaging, microscopes, displays, and astronomy.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 13, 2021
Researchers have developed high-performance polarization-sensitive photodetectors on 2D β-InSe, exhibiting excellent stability and strong anisotropic optical and electronic properties. The material's unique crystal structure enables direct detection of polarized light without optical filters or polarizers.
SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 13, 2021
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers found that parasitic hairworms in praying mantis infected with parasites are attracted to horizontally polarized light and enter the water. This manipulation of host behavior is a remarkable example of how parasites can alter their hosts' morphology and behavior for their own benefit.
SourceKobe University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 29, 2021
The new method uses polarization analysis to track changes in the spectrum of light on a nanosecond time scale over the entire color spectrum. By correlating polarization with laser color, researchers can measure spectral changes at high speeds, opening up new possibilities for material studies and astronomical observations.
Researchers have discovered a way to manipulate terahertz polarization using ultrathin, highly aligned carbon nanotube films. The phenomenon occurs at a specific angle, known as the 'magic angle,' and allows for precise control over light polarization.
Chinese researchers successfully achieved a record-breaking 51.5dB non-reciprocal isolation in an atomic ensemble, surpassing the previous limit of 30dB. The new device has excellent robustness and is insensitive to external magnetic fields, opening up new possibilities for practical applications.
SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 10, 2021
Researchers developed a novel medical device using octopus vision technology to assess macular pigment levels, enabling optometrists to provide preventative advice to patients. The technology can screen people from 5-95 years of age for low macular pigments, a strong risk factor for macular degeneration.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 4, 2021
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.
Chinese scientists summarize the latest progress of CPL-active organic micro-/nano-structures, which can reduce energy loss in displays and photonic technologies. The review discusses design principles, external stimuli regulation, and potential applications, including OLEDs, optical information recording, and sensing technologies.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 12, 2021
Scientists develop a generic approach to generate arbitrary vectorial optical fields (VOFs) using metasurfaces, offering improved efficiency and control over polarization. They experimentally demonstrate the generation of VOFs in both far-field and near-field regimes with tailored wave fronts and inhomogeneous polarization distributions.
SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateApr 12, 2021
A novel cancer diagnosis technique using circularly polarized LEDs can detect precancerous lesions and early cancer, providing valuable information for treatment decisions. The method uses spin-LEDs to emit circularly polarized light, which interacts with healthy and unhealthy cells differently.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Biophotonics·DateApr 6, 2021