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New endoscope uses bendable GRIN lens for 3D microscopy

Researchers have developed a flexible endoscopic imaging probe using a bendable graded index (GRIN) lens, enabling 3D microscopic imaging of tissue. The new technology could shorten biopsy waiting times to minutes and enable real-time monitoring of tissue changes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 21, 2022

Silicon nanopillars for quantum communication

Researchers created silicon nanopillars using MacEtch, a wet etching technique that generates light particles at the right wavelength to proliferate in optical fibers. This breakthrough enables practical quantum communication via optical fibers.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Self-assembled liquid crystal architectures for soft matter photonics

The article discusses recent advances in self-assembled liquid crystal architectures for soft matter photonics, including smart displays, optical imaging, and light field modulation devices. The review highlights the potential of these materials for broadening knowledge and promoting diverse photonic applications.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateSep 14, 2022

New laser-based instrument designed to boost hydrogen research

Researchers developed a new analytical instrument using an ultrafast laser to measure hydrogen concentration and temperature, advancing greener hydrogen-based fuel studies. The instrument's capabilities will help develop more environmentally friendly propulsion engines.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateSep 13, 2022
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.

High-performance 937-nm laser: see deeper with lower power

A novel 937-nm laser source has been developed for multiphoton microscopy, enabling deep tissue imaging at depths of over 600 µm with only 10 mW of power. This breakthrough technology offers a good balance between sensitivity, penetration depth, and imaging speed.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateSep 13, 2022

New on-chip frequency comb is 100x more efficient

A team from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences has developed an electro-optic frequency comb that is 100-times more efficient and has more than twice the bandwidth of previous state-of-the-art versions.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 7, 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.

SPIE journal Neurophotonics publishes comprehensive status report on optical imaging methods for brain science

The report explores diffuse optical imaging methods applicable to noninvasive human studies, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). It introduces state-of-the-art technologies and software, exploring their impact on neuroscience and clinical applications.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalNeurophotonics·DateSep 2, 2022

Combing light with sharper teeth

The study reveals that noise sources in the micro resonator can cause the lines to be narrower than previously thought, enabling more precise measurements. By understanding this phenomenon, researchers can develop even more accurate devices, such as instruments measuring signals at light-years distances.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2022

A new chapter for nonlinear optics

A new bidimensional semiconductor shows the highest nonlinear optical efficiency over nanometer thicknesses, enabling smaller devices with potential for compact phase-matched and waveguided nonlinear optics.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2022
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.

Nanodisks should not be taken lightly

A novel light-manipulating technology using nanodisk periodic structures has been developed by an international team, including Kyoto University. By controlling bound states in the continuum, researchers can systematically control light distribution states and manipulate near-infrared light within a nanodisk.

SourceKyoto University·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2022

Optical vortices in a topological defect of cosmic spacetime

A new study demonstrates bound vortex light on optical chips by simulating gauge fields of cosmic strings. The research team created a deformed photonic graphene inspired by cosmic strings, which can generate and transport optical vortices and control photon orbital angular momentum.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 26, 2022

Dispersion coding of ENZ media via multiple photonic dopants

Researchers developed a technique for controlling ENZ media by introducing multiple dielectric rods, called photonic dopants. This allows for independent control of responses at specific frequencies, enabling applications such as optical tagging and digitally reconfigurable filters.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateAug 26, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Microscopic color converters move small laser-based devices closer to reality

Researchers developed a new method for converting light frequencies using atomically thin layers of molybdenum disulfide, enabling smaller lasers and potential applications in optical communications. The breakthrough could lead to compact phase-matched nonlinear optics and waveguide devices.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2022

Rare-earth-based lasing in multiple bands simultaneously

Researchers successfully demonstrate room-temperature multiband microlasers spanning a large wavelength range using rare earth elements. The lasing process combines downshifting and upconversion, expanding the emission wavelength range. The resulting microlasers exhibit good intensity stability and are suitable for practical applications.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 22, 2022

Ultrathin dental camera inspired by insect-eye structure

Researchers developed a novel biologically-inspired intraoral camera with a wide-angle insect eye structure, increasing field of view and resolving optical aberrations. The device provides multifunctional dental imaging, including high dynamic range, 3D depth, and autofluorescence, without discomfort or image blur.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateAug 19, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Colorful solar panels could make the technology more attractive

Researchers have developed a method to create colorful solar panels by applying a thin layer of photonic glass, which reflects selective colors based on microscopic zinc sulfide spheres. The new technology results in energy efficiency improvements of up to 21.5% while maintaining color and durability.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 15, 2022
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Researchers create biosensor by turning spider silk into optical fiber

A new light-based sensor harnesses the light-guiding properties of spider silk to detect and measure small changes in the refractive index of a biological solution, including glucose and other types of sugar solutions. The sensor is practical, compact, biocompatible, cost-effective, and highly sensitive.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateAug 2, 2022

Engineers repurpose 19th-century photography technique to make stretchy, color-changing films

Researchers developed a new printing technique that applies a 19th-century color photography method to modern holographic materials, producing large-scale images on elastic materials with structural color. The team's results enable the creation of pressure-monitoring bandages, shade-shifting fabrics, or touch-sensing robots.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 1, 2022

Chip-scale metamicroscope for high-performance imaging

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
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.

New photoacoustic endoscope fits inside a needle

Researchers have created a photoacoustic imaging endoscope probe that can fit inside a medical needle, resolving subcellular-scale tissue structural and molecular information in 3D. The device has an ultra-thin design, allowing for real-time 3D characterization of tissue during minimally invasive procedures.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJul 27, 2022

Neuromorphic computing with optically driven nonlinear fluid dynamics

Researchers propose a novel paradigm using nanoscale nonlinear fluid dynamics to support recurrent neural networks in neuromorphic computing. The liquid film functions as an optical memory, enabling 'reservoir computing' capable of performing digital and analog tasks.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 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.

Chiral sources for metamaterial interface waveguides

A new broadband near-field chiral source enables comparison of different edge states to advance applications in integrated photonics and wireless devices. The research advances the field of chiral photonics science, promoting applications of chiral-sorting technology for microwave metadevices.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 19, 2022

Terahertz topological on-chip metadevices

Researchers developed topological membrane metadevices for on-chip terahertz wave manipulations, showcasing robust single-mode manipulation and valley-locked edge states. This breakthrough enables the development of a robust platform for terahertz on-chip communication, sensing, and multiplexing systems.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 13, 2022

Free-space light coupling using curved micromirrors

The study compares the behavior of flat (1D), cylindrical (2D) and spherical (3D) micromirrors for free-space light coupling. Silicon micromirrors were fabricated and used to experimentally validate the coupling efficiency in visible and near infrared wavelengths.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateJul 11, 2022
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.

Frequency-domain STED microscopy for selective background noise suppression

Researchers developed a novel frequency-domain method to selectively suppress background noise in STED microscopy, achieving higher spatial resolution and improved signal-to-noise ratio. The approach has potential applications in various dual-beam point-scanning techniques.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 6, 2022

Seeing photovoltaic devices in a new light

A team of researchers at Osaka University measured the photovoltaic properties of antimony sulfiodide:sulfide devices and discovered a novel effect. They found that changing the color of incident light from visible to ultraviolet induced a reversible change in output voltage, while leaving current unchanged.

SourceOsaka University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2022

Optical fiber imaging method advances studies of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers develop speckle-based compressive imaging technique to improve deep-tissue imaging in Alzheimer's disease studies. The method reduces pixel measurements needed, producing high-resolution images up to 11 times faster and three times bigger than traditional raster-scan approach.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateJun 30, 2022

Advanced technology allows automated 3D tracking of leaked gas

Researchers developed an automated method to create 3D images of leaked gas clouds, enabling precise location, volume, and concentration determination. This technology can provide early leak warnings, assess risk, or determine the best way to fix leaks in large facilities with stored toxic chemicals.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateJun 30, 2022
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.

Dynamic ring resonator offers new opportunity in synthetic frequency dimension

Researchers constructed a synthetic stub lattice in two coupled rings of different lengths, observing flat bands, band transitions and mode localization. This experimental demonstration enables dynamic control of light and may pave the way for future applications in optical communications.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJun 21, 2022

Nanochannels light the way towards new medicine

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a groundbreaking microscopy technique that allows for the study of proteins, DNA, and other biological particles in their natural state. This innovation enables earlier detection of promising drug candidates and provides valuable insights into cell communication processes.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

Photonic integrated erbium doped amplifiers reach commercial performance

Researchers at EPFL have developed a photonic integrated circuit based erbium-doped amplifier that generates record output power and provides high gain, matching commercial EDFAs. This breakthrough enables new applications in optical communications, LiDAR, quantum sensing, and memories.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalScience·DateJun 16, 2022
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.

AI-based image analysis automatically detects serious heart condition

Researchers developed an AI method to automatically detect plaque erosion in heart arteries using OCT images. The new technique uses neural networks and post-processing algorithms to predict regions of possible plaque erosion and refine the initial prediction based on clinically interpretable features.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJun 16, 2022

Researchers develop the world's first ultra-fast photonic computing processor using polarization

Scientists at the University of Oxford have created a new type of computing processor that uses light to process information, achieving speeds faster than traditional electronics. By leveraging multiple polarisation channels, the researchers increased computing density by several orders of magnitude, paving the way for more efficient p...

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2022

Breakthrough paves way for photonic sensing at the ultimate quantum limit

A team of physicists has developed a way to perform high precision measurements without relying on special entangled states of light. The breakthrough uses ring resonators, which can be mass manufactured using standard processes, and enables the creation of chip-scale photonic sensors operating at the quantum limit.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 7, 2022

Yang wins Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award

Lan Yang, a leading researcher in photonic devices, has been selected for the award due to her exceptional academic achievements. She is recognized as one of the most-cited researchers in her field, with work cited nearly 17,500 times.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateMay 26, 2022
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.

Halting a wave in its tracks

By pairing two waveguides, one with an ill-defined topology and another with a well-defined one, researchers created a topological singularity that can halt waves in their tracks. This phenomenon has potential applications in energy harvesting and enhancing nonlinear effects.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 23, 2022

Diamond mirrors for high-powered lasers

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material diamond mirror that withstood a 10-kilowatt Navy laser without damage. The mirror's unique nanostructure design makes it 98.9% reflective, potentially enabling more robust high-power lasers for various applications.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2022

Pancharatnam–Berry phase reversal via opposite-chirality-coexisted superstructures

Researchers develop innovative scheme to manipulate light with orthogonal circular polarization and conjugated PB phase in a single layer. They successfully generate reflective optical vortex and vector beams with enhanced efficiency and compact configuration.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 17, 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.

New nanomechanical oscillators with record-low loss

Scientists have created nanomechanical resonators with extremely high quality factors using a regular polygon design, leading to compact devices for sensing weak forces. The new design allows for precision force sensing with sensitivity approaching state-of-the-art atomic force microscopes.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalPhysical Review X·DateMay 12, 2022

Towards carbon neutralization: Enclosure radiative cooling for reducing air conditioning energy consumption

A new photonic-engineered thermal management strategy incorporates enhanced color-preserving radiative cooling into existing enclosures, reducing energy consumption by up to 63%. The system is designed to simultaneously reflect solar energy and radiate infrared energy, while blocking heat radiation from entering the inner space.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 6, 2022

Researchers create flat magic window with liquid crystals

Scientists have developed a transparent device that produces a hidden image when light shines on it, using liquid crystals to recreate an ancient light trick. The technology has the potential to enable reconfigurable displays and stable 3D images.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateMay 5, 2022
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 5, 2022

Photonic slide rule:Simultaneous resolving of wavelength and polarization state

A team of scientists has proposed a versatile photonic slide rule that enables simultaneous resolution of wavelength and polarization state. The device uses an all-silicon metasurface to achieve angle-resolved focusing spots, allowing for easy retrieval of the wavelength and polarization information.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMay 2, 2022

Ultrafast all-optical random bit generator

Researchers proposed and experimentally demonstrated an all-optical random bit generation method using chaotic pulses quantized in the optical domain. This method generated a 10 Gb/s random bit stream, potentially operable at higher rates by exploiting ultrafast fiber response.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 2, 2022
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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