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Editorial for the special issue on subwavelength optics

This special issue highlights cutting-edge developments in subwavelength optics, including nonlinear meta-devices, chiral optical signals, and hybrid-layer data storage. Researchers explore new phenomena at the subwavelength scale, enabling enhanced imaging, sensing, and communication capabilities.

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.

Monolithically integrated asynchronous optical recurrent accelerator

Researchers have developed a monolithically integrated asynchronous optical recurrent accelerator, mapping time sequences to wavelength channels for efficient parallel processing. This breakthrough improves computational efficiency without requiring high-speed electronic components for synchronization.

Three-dimensional varifocal meta-device for augmented reality display

Researchers developed a three-dimensional varifocal meta-device to address AR display challenges, including vergence-accommodation conflict. The device dynamically adjusts focal length and position using tunable metasurfaces, enabling virtual content display at different depths and positions without bulky components.

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.

One glass, full color: sub-millimeter waveguide shrinks AR glasses

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) have developed an achromatic metagrating that handles all colors in a single glass layer, eliminating the need for multiple layers. This breakthrough enables vivid full-color images using a 500-µm-thick single-layer waveguide.

Precision-engineered surface enhances silicon solar cell performance

Researchers have developed a single-layer antireflective coating using polycrystalline silicon nanostructures that sharply reduces sunlight reflection across a wide range of wavelengths and angles. The coating achieves unprecedented results for a single-layer design, setting a new standard for solar cells.

What friction and red traffic lights have in common

Amsterdam physicists found that asperities on two touching surfaces interact similarly to pedestrians at a crossing, leading to an increase in surface sliding and decrease in static friction. This phenomenon has applications in semiconductor manufacturing and earthquake prediction.

Photonics M3 (Manufacturing, Manipulation, Measurement) Conference

The Photonics M3 conference focuses on manufacturing, manipulation, and measurement of photonic devices. Key topics include information optics, biomedical optics, meta optics, and advanced optical fabrication. The conference will be held at Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center in Bali, Indonesia.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Filipino scientists develop low-cost liquid lenses

Researchers at Ateneo de Manila University create hydrophobic surfaces using electrospun polymer fibers to hold water droplets in a dome shape, allowing for dynamic adjustment of magnifying power. This discovery has potential practical applications in science classrooms, remote areas, and research labs.

A compact, mid-infrared pulse generator

Physicists at Harvard SEAS have created a compact, on-chip mid-infrared pulse generator that can emit short bursts of light without external components. This device has the potential to speed up gas sensor development and create new medical imaging tools.

Light that spirals like a nautilus shell

Harvard physicists develop an optical vortex beam that twists and changes shape, resembling spiral shapes found in nature. The 'optical rotatum' has potential applications in controlling small particles and micro-manipulation, and its creation is made possible with a single liquid crystal display.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Scientists observe exotic quantum phase once thought impossible

Researchers have directly observed a superradiant phase transition (SRPT) in a magnetic crystal, overcoming a long-standing limitation in theoretical physics. The phenomenon occurs when two groups of quantum particles fluctuate collectively without external triggers, forming a new state of matter with unique properties.

Amplifier with tenfold bandwidth opens up for super lasers

A new amplifier developed by Chalmers University of Technology can transmit ten times more data per second than current systems, holding significant potential for various critical laser systems, including medical diagnostics and treatment. The amplifier's large bandwidth enables precise analyses and imaging of tissues and organs.

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.

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.

New 3D technology paves way for next-generation eye-tracking

Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new 3D imaging technique, deflectometry, paired with advanced computation to improve eye-tracking accuracy. The method can capture gaze direction information from more than 40,000 surface points, theoretically millions, increasing accuracy by a factor of over 3,000 compared to c...

Wits researchers find a way to shield quantum information from “noise”

Researchers at Wits University have discovered a way to protect quantum information from environmental disruptions, offering hope for more reliable future technologies. By engineering specific topological properties in quantum states, they can preserve critical information even when disturbed by noise.

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.

Watching electron motion in solids

A German-Italian team has discovered a way to simplify the experimental implementation of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, allowing for real-time study of electron motion in solids. By adding an optical component to Cerullo's interferometer, researchers were able to control laser pulses more precisely, enabling the investigatio...

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.

Security veins: Advanced biometric authentication through AI and infrared

A new method of biometric authentication has been developed using hyperspectral imaging and AI to identify individuals through the unique patterns in their blood vessels on the palm of their hand. The technology shows great promise for secure personal identification and could potentially be used as a key to unlock homes.

Self-imaging of structured light in new dimensions

Researchers at Tampere University and Kastler-Brossel Laboratory have demonstrated self-imaging of light in cylindrical systems, facilitating unprecedented control of light's structure. They also explore a new type of space-time duality, bridging different fields of optics.

Semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found a modest increase in the risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy among individuals with type 2 diabetes associated with semaglutide use. The findings suggest that further investigation is needed into the clinical implications of this association.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

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.

New materials to improve optical data transmission

Researchers develop hybrid materials to enhance optical signal conversion in transceivers, increasing data transmission rates while reducing energy consumption. The ATHENS project combines silicon with other materials to overcome limitations in pure silicon components.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Spin current observations from organic semiconductor side

A team at Osaka Metropolitan University has designed a multilayer device to investigate spin currents, using an organic semiconductor material with a long spin relaxation time. This allows direct observation of phenomena due to spin current generation and enables researchers to gain deeper insights into the properties of spin currents.

Illuminating quantum magnets: Light unveils magnetic domains

Researchers successfully visualized tiny magnetic regions, known as magnetic domains, in a specialized quantum material using nonreciprocal directional dichroism. They also manipulated these regions by applying an electric field, offering new insights into the complex behavior of magnetic materials at the quantum level.

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.

Researchers observe hidden deformations in complex light fields

Researchers at Tampere University have observed hidden deformations in complex light fields for the first time. These deformations carry significant information about the object, such as its material properties. The study has implications for measuring material properties with structured waves and will inspire new optical technologies.

Temporarily apart

Researchers induced fast switching between electrically neutral and charged luminescent particles in an ultra-thin, two-dimensional material. The result opens up new perspectives for optical data processing and flexible detectors.

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.

Shedding light on superconducting disorder

A team of researchers has developed a new way to study disorder in superconductors using terahertz pulses of light. They observed that the disorder in superconducting transport was significantly lower than previously thought, with stability up to 70% of the transition temperature.

Researchers take power and efficiency of biological sensing to record level

Researchers developed a label-free biological sensing method that can detect substances at the zeptomolar level, significantly improving drug testing and research capabilities. This advancement has the potential to lead to portable sensors for environmental toxins, food quality monitoring, and cancer screening.

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.

Super-precise spectrometer enabled by latent information carried by photons

Researchers at the University of Warsaw developed a quantum-inspired super-resolving spectrometer that uses latent information carried by photons to improve spectral resolution. The device offers over a two-fold improvement in resolution compared to standard approaches and has potential applications in optical and quantum networks.

Unique nanodisk pushing photonic research forward

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully combined nonlinear and high-index nanophotonics in a single nanoobject, creating a disk-like structure with unique optical properties. The discovery has great potential for developing efficient and compact nonlinear optical devices.

Light-absorbing dye turns live mouse temporarily transparent

Researchers used a common food dye to turn a live mouse's tissues transparent, allowing them to study internal organs and muscle contractions. The dye absorbs light in the near ultraviolet and blue regions, modifying tissue refractive index and enabling deeper transmission of red light.

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.

A new advancement in photonic chips set to unlock an industry

Researchers have developed a new engineering approach to on-chip light sources, enabling the widespread adoption of photonic chips in consumer electronics. The innovation involves growing high-quality multi-quantum well nanowires using a novel facet engineering approach, which enables precise control over the diameter and length of the...

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.

Interdisciplinary Rice graduate program earns $3 million NSF grant

A new graduate program at Rice University aims to equip students with skills needed to serve as leaders in quantum technology innovation. The program will provide interdisciplinary training to 30 students, combining expertise from quantum physics, optics, and nanotechnology.

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.

Quality control: neatly arranging crystal growth to make fine thin films

A team from Osaka Metropolitan University has created a way to control the growth of crystals on metal-organic frameworks thin films, reducing light scattering and resulting in high-quality films. These advanced films are expected to be used as optical sensors, optical elements, and transparent gas adsorption sheets.

A ‘measure’ advance for ultrashort laser light!

The TIFR team developed a method to measure the temporal shape of ultrashort laser pulses using spectral interferometry, enabling precise measurement of pulse profiles at different points across the beam. This breakthrough is essential for handling increasingly powerful lasers that emit pulses and can distort optical components.

Tiny quantum sensor to make a big impact

Researchers developed a new 2D quantum sensing chip using hexagonal boron nitride that can simultaneously detect temperature anomalies and magnetic fields in any direction. The chip is significantly thinner than current quantum technology for magnetometry, enabling cheaper and more versatile sensors.

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.