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Circularly polarized luminescence from organic micro-/nano-structures

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.

Efficient generations of complex vectorial optical fields with metasurfaces

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.

Harvard, Smithsonian astronomers help capture first image of black hole's magnetic fields

Astronomers have captured the first-ever image of a black hole's magnetic fields, revealing that polarized light reveals the structure of these fields just outside the event horizon. This breakthrough observation will help scientists understand how energy is extracted from spinning black holes to produce powerful jets.

SourceCenter for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 24, 2021

Arbitrary polarization conversion dichroism metasurfaces for full Poincaré sphere polarizers

Scientists have proposed an effective approach to achieve full Poincaré sphere polarizers in one step using monolayer metasurfaces with arbitrary polarization conversion dichroism. The system can generate an arbitrarily polarized beam at any position on the Poincaré sphere, making it a monolithic arbitrary polarization generator.

Natural three-dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal

Scientists have developed a natural potassium-tantalate-niobate (KTN) perovskite nonlinear photonic crystal with 3D spontaneous Rubik's domain structures, enabling compensation of phase-mismatch along arbitrary directions. This breakthrough paves the way for new applications in optical communications, quantum entanglement sources, and ...

A trillion turns of light nets terahertz polarized bytes

Researchers at Rice University and Politecnico University have demonstrated the first nanophotonic platform capable of manipulating polarized light 1 trillion times per second. The platform uses plasmonic metasurfaces to exploit ultrafast electronic mechanisms, enabling faster data transmission rates.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 19, 2020

Nanoscale machines convert light into work

Researchers developed tiny optically powered machines that self-assemble and can manipulate tiny cargo for applications like nanofluidics and particle sorting. The machines use circularly polarized light from a laser to create a nanoparticle array acting like a gear, influencing nearby particles to orbit the array.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateOct 8, 2020

Squaring the circle -- Breaking the symmetry of a sphere to control the polarization of light

Scientists at Tokyo Tech and ICFO develop a method to generate circularly polarized light from a sphere by breaking its symmetry through electron beam excitation. This enables the precise control of phase and polarization, paving the way for novel quantum communication and encryption technologies. The approach has been experimentally v...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 4, 2020

Quantum body scanner? What happens when vector vortex beams meet scattering media

A team of researchers has made significant progress in developing a quantum body scanner that can detect cancer with high accuracy. By analyzing the transmission of vector vortex beams through scattering media, they have overcome major hurdles in biomedical imaging. The study's findings suggest that vector vortex beams can preserve the...

Cartwheeling light reveals new optical phenomenon

Researchers at Rice University have discovered trochoidal dichroism, a novel type of polarized light-matter interaction. The discovery reveals that different wavelengths of light interact differently with plasmonic nanoparticles, which could help study molecules and determine molecular orientation.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2020

Extraordinary modulation of light polarization with dark plasmons in magnetoplasmonic nanocavities

Scientists create magneto-plasmonic nanoantennas with hybrid high-order multi-polar dark modes, enabling unprecedented control of light polarization. The resulting amplification enhances the magneto-optical activity, overcoming previous limitations and opening new avenues for nanophotonic applications.

Chirality-assisted lateral momentum transfer for bidirectional enantioselective separation

Researchers design an experiment to demonstrate chirality-dependent optical lateral force on microparticles, achieving robust bidirectional sorting and reversible optical lateral forces. The study opens new avenues for direct detection and sorting of microparticles with imperceptible chemical differences.

The makings of a crystal flipper

Researchers fabricate crystal that flips back and forth in response to lighting conditions, enabling complex task prosecution. The discovery sheds light on the arrangement of azobenzene molecules within the crystal, which plays a crucial role in initiating the periodic behavior.

4D imaging with liquid crystal microlenses

Researchers have developed a portable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use microlens that simultaneously acquires 3D space and polarization information. This allows for the creation of 4D images with improved depth resolution, potentially enabling applications in medical imaging, communications, displays, and remote sensing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 20, 2019

Ultra-thin optical elements directly measure polarization

Scientists have developed a new method to measure polarization using ultra-thin metasurface holograms. The technique uses overlapping holographic images to determine the amplitude contrast and phase difference between polarized light waves, enabling fast and compact devices for spectroscopy, sensing, and communications applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateSep 12, 2019

Developing technologies that run on light

Researchers at Stanford University have designed a photon diode that can only flow in one direction, enabling faster solutions to scientific, mathematical and economic problems. The device uses nanostructures and metasurfaces to manipulate light and break time-reversal symmetry.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2019

Lefty or righty molecules lend a hand to material structures

Researchers at Rice University have created chiral polymers that can enable materials with unique properties, such as optical and sensing capabilities. The discovery could lead to the creation of metamaterials with tunable properties, including tough-but-flexible compounds with distinct functions.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019