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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Second order optical merons, or light pretending to be a ferromagnet

Researchers at the University of Warsaw have demonstrated how to structure light to exhibit collective spin behavior like a ferromagnet. They trapped light in a thin liquid crystal layer between mirrors and observed first-order and second-order merons and anti-merons, which can be used to study complex systems.

Engineers place molecule-scale devices in precise orientation

Researchers develop technique to precisely place and orient DNA-based molecular devices on chip surfaces. The method enables thousands of molecules to be reliably oriented, opening up new possibilities for applications like DNA sequencing and protein measurement.

Bringing atoms to a standstill: NIST miniaturizes laser cooling

Researchers at NIST have developed a compact optical platform to cool atoms, enabling the creation of super-accurate atomic clocks and quantum devices. The miniaturized system uses flat optics and a metasurface to efficiently interact with and cool large collections of atoms.

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.

A display that completely blocks off counterfeits

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a switchable display device using nanostructures that can encrypt full-color images depending on the polarization of light. The device boasts high resolution (approximately 40,000 dpi) and wide viewing angle while being thin.

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 ...

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.

Anti-hacking based on the circular polarization direction of light

Researchers from KIST and PNU developed an encryption device that detects circularly polarized light to strengthen IoT security. The device uses a phototransistor with cholesteric liquid crystal and π-conjugated polymer, exhibiting high sensitivity in detecting circular polarization.

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.

Ultrafast camera films 3-D movies at 100 billion frames per second

Researchers have developed a camera that can film 3D movies at 100 billion frames per second, capturing ultrafast imagery with stereo-polarimetric compression. The camera uses polarization information to enhance its capabilities and may help scientists study sonoluminescence.

Polarimetric parity-time-symmetric photonic system

A new technique realizes PT symmetry in a single spatial resonator by manipulating polarization-dependent response, enabling effective suppression of sidemodes and stable single-mode lasing. The proposed polarimetric PT symmetry concept opens avenues for non-Hermitian photonic systems with various optical parameters.

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.

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.

The MOF-based multicolor single-mode microlaser

Scientists create hierarchical assembly of dye molecules in a host-guest hybrid metal-organic framework to achieve up to three-wavelength single-mode polarized lasing. The resulting three-color single-mode lasing has a large wavelength coverage of ~186 nm and a low threshold of ~1.72 mJ/cm2.

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.

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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Metasurface opens world of polarization

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a metasurface that can continuously tune from linear to elliptical birefringence, opening up the entire space of polarization control with just one device.

Controlling angular dispersions in optical metasurfaces

Researchers from China established a general strategy to guide design of optical metasurfaces with fully controlled angular dispersions. They demonstrated the importance of near-field couplings and radiation patterns in determining these dispersions.

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.

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.

Dendrimers finally have what it takes to break into the laser scene

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have synthesized branched polymer crystals that can be used as tiny laser sources, overcoming dendrimers' fragility and poor crystallinity. The new material exhibits lasing properties and shows promising potential for applications in displays and micro-optical circuits.

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.

Astrophysicists wear 3D glasses to watch quasars

Researchers combined data from radio and optical telescopes to determine the origins and nature of quasar light. By measuring the polarization, they can tell which part of radiation came from the jet and determine its direction.

Using light to put a twist on electrons

Physicists have induced and measured nonsymmetrical states in a layered material using circularly polarized mid-infrared light. This phenomenon, known as chirality, can be controlled and enhanced by shining the light beam at specific conditions, demonstrating a new tool for manipulating electronic behavior in materials.

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.

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.

Four ways to curb light pollution, save bugs

Artificial light at night negatively impacts thousands of species, causing global declines in abundance. Experts recommend turning off unnecessary lights, using motion-activated fixtures, and selecting amber-colored lights to curb light pollution and preserve insect populations.

Massive photons in an artificial magnetic field

Researchers create two-dimensional system to trap photons, which behave like massive quasiparticles with a magnetic moment. This discovery could lead to new optoelectronic devices and unique quantum states of matter.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

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.

Using nature to produce a revolutionary optical material

Researchers have created a new material using tellurium nanorods produced by naturally occurring bacteria, which can protect electronic devices against high-intensity bursts of light. The material has the potential to revolutionize high-speed optical networking and improve internet communications.

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.

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.

Camera brings unseen world to light

Researchers have created a compact, portable camera that can image polarization in a single shot, revealing the reflected and transmitted light around us. The device uses metasurfaces to direct light based on its polarization, allowing for new applications in atmospheric science, remote sensing, facial recognition and more.

Multicolored light twists in new knotted ways

Researchers at ICFO have discovered a new type of optical singularity with the topology of a knot, which is topologically protected and robust against perturbations. This discovery expands light's degree of freedom and opens up new possibilities for applications in communication, microscopy, lithography, and spectroscopy.

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.

Sculpting super-fast light pulses

Scientists create ultrathin device with silicon nanopillars to shape ultrafast light pulses, enabling controlled compression, splitting, and distortion. This technique has potential for high-speed communication and studying ultrafast phenomena.

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.

Dung beetles navigate better under a full moon

Researchers at Lund University found that dung beetles are sensitive enough to hold their course during full moon nights despite light pollution. They use polarized light as their most important compass reference.

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.

Light triggers gold in unexpected way

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to control the output of gold nanoparticles using circularly polarized light. By changing the handedness of the light input, they found they could change the intensity of the scattered light by up to 50%, opening up new possibilities for ultrasmall optical components and antennas.

Physics: Not everything is where it seems to be

Physicists at University of Innsbruck and TU Wien demonstrate that elliptical polarization causes a spiral shape in light wavefronts, leading to a distorted image of actual structures. This systematic error can affect biomedical research, super-resolution microscopy, and even astronomical object position estimation.

Bioinspired camera could help self-driving cars see better

Researchers created a new camera inspired by mantis shrimp vision, improving dynamic range up to 10,000 times higher than commercial cameras. The camera detects light polarization and can spot hazards three times farther away than color cameras used on cars today.

Revolutionary ultra-thin 'meta-lens' enables full-color imaging

Researchers at Columbia University have created the first flat lens capable of focusing a range of colors and polarizations to the same focal spot. The ultra-thin 'meta-lens' offers performance comparable to conventional lenses but with significantly reduced size and weight.

Molecular switch detects metals in the environment

Researchers from UNIGE have developed a new type of chemical sensor capable of detecting the presence of metals in the environment. The sensor forms a 3D structure with molecules that emit light when metal ions are present, making it easy to detect and identify different types of metals.

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.

Kirigami-inspired technique manipulates light at the nanoscale

Researchers create nanodevices using kirigami-inspired technique to filter out circularly polarized light, potentially enabling new applications in sensing, computation, and communications systems. The approach could lead to smaller, more efficient detectors and nanoscale optical isolators for laser optical communications systems.