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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.

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

How quantum light sees quantum sound

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

Polarized imaging dynamic light scattering measures the nanoparticle size, morphology, as well as their distributions simultaneously, thus finding applications in various fields including catalysts, abrasives, fillers, nanodrugs, and battery materials

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.

SourceParticuology·JournalParticuology·DateJul 5, 2023

Orbital angular momentum boosts multiplexed holography

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

Looking at magnets in the right light

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.

Research team with participation of Chemnitz University of Technology reveals intriguing insights into optical resonances determined by the fascinating topology of the Möbius strip

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

Magnetized dead star likely has solid surface

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

Polarized X-rays reveal shape, orientation of extremely hot matter around black hole

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

The annihilation of exceptional points from various degeneration points was observed for the first time in the world

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

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

Lew lab sheds new light on cell membranes

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

All-optical computation of a group of transformations using a polarization-encoded diffractive network

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.

Pushing the boundaries of space exploration with X-ray polarimetry

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

Researchers demonstrate label-free super-resolution microscopy

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.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateApr 21, 2022

The optical Stern-Gerlach Deflection and Young’s experiment in the reciprocal space

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

Light does the twist for quantum computing

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

Overcoming false optical activity

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

New high-speed method for spectroscopic measurements

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.

SourceTampere University·JournalOptica·DateJun 21, 2021