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Scientists develop a technique to dynamically curve a photon jet

Researchers have discovered a simple method for creating a curved photonic beam using a microparticle, which can be used for various applications such as microscopy and lithography. This breakthrough enables the creation of more flexible and versatile photonics devices.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 15, 2020

Terahertz receiver for 6G wireless communications

Researchers at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have developed a novel concept for low-cost terahertz receivers that enable ultra-fast wireless communications at low cost. The proof-of-concept experiment demonstrated transmission at a data rate of 115 Gbit/s and a carrier frequency of 0.3 THz over a distance of 110 meters.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalNature Photonics·DateSep 8, 2020
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.

Seeing the light: Researchers combine technologies for better light control

A new technology has been developed by Penn State researchers that enables better light control without requiring large materials and structures. This hybrid photonic architecture combines the best qualities of photonic integrated circuits and metasurfaces, paving the way for multifunctional devices with flexible access to free space.

SourcePenn State·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 23, 2020

Scientists achieve major breakthrough in preserving integrity of sound waves

Researchers have demonstrated strong topological order for sound stemming from time modulations, allowing robust propagation along boundaries of topological metamaterials. This advancement enables cheaper, lighter devices with reduced battery power consumption, suitable for harsh environments.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 17, 2020

Shaking light with sound

Scientists combine piezoelectric aluminium nitride with ultralow-loss silicon nitride integrated photonics to create a hybrid circuit for on-chip acousto-optic modulation. The technology enables wideband actuation with ultralow electrical power, opening up new possibilities for precision-demanding applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 15, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

High-order synthetic dimensions in waveguide photonic lattices

High-dimensional synthetic lattices emerge in photon-number space when excited by N indistinguishable photons, allowing for parallel quantum random walks with different numbers of steps on various graphs. This discovery enables the realization of an infinite number of lattices and graphs with distinct properties.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalPhotonics Research·DateJul 6, 2020

Spider silk can create lenses useful for biological imaging

Researchers have created biocompatible lenses using spider silk, enabling large-area imaging of biological areas with high resolution. The lenses use dragline silk's unique properties to generate a photonic nanojet, suitable for biomedical applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 30, 2020

Custom-built to ready-made

A team of researchers from UC Santa Barbara, Caltech, and EPFL has developed a new technology that simplifies and condenses complex optical systems onto a single silicon photonic chip. This breakthrough allows for easy integration with traditional silicon chip production, significantly reducing cost and improving performance.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020

Photonics: From custom-built to ready-made

Researchers developed a compact optical system using silicon photonics, significantly lowering production costs and enabling easy integration with traditional chip production. The technology addresses growing demands for multicolor laser lights in data centers, promising new opportunities in applications like optical clocks.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJun 17, 2020
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Beetle-inspired cooling film

A new photonic film inspired by fluffs on the longicorn beetle can reflect up to 95% of incoming solar radiation and emit infrared energy, achieving up to 5.1° C of passive cooling in direct sunlight. The film's efficiency is a breakthrough for efficient passive radiative cooling applications.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 15, 2020

First confirmation of new theory by metamaterial

Physicists at the University of Würzburg have experimentally confirmed a new theory on topological metamaterials, which exhibit extraordinary properties. The study shows that all states localize at the edge of the material, a phenomenon known as the non-Hermitian skin effect.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 10, 2020

SPIE Journal of Applied Remote Sensing honors best papers

The journal's editorial board selected three papers for best paper awards, showcasing innovative work in interdisciplinary applications, theoretical innovation, and photo-optical instrumentation design. The honorees include a paper on deep-learning-based object detection for monitoring underwater ecosystems and marine debris.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing·DateJun 2, 2020

Clean without scrubbing and using chemicals

Dresden scientists have created a periodic surface structure that repels water and ice, while also removing dirt particles solely by rolling water drops. This technology has potential applications in the automotive, food, and home appliance industries.

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateMay 27, 2020
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.

Speeding up long-range coherent LiDAR

Researchers at EPFL have developed a new way to implement parallel FMCW LiDAR by using integrated nonlinear photonic circuitry. The technology enables up to 30 independent FMCW LiDAR channels, improving acquisition rates tenfold for autonomous vehicle applications.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateMay 13, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Quantum experiments explore power of light for communications, computing

Researchers from ORNL and Purdue University successfully design a quantum frequency beam splitter using standard lightwave communications technology, enabling controlled photon interactions. The team also demonstrates a coincidence-basis controlled-NOT gate and completes the first demonstration of a frequency tritter.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·DateJan 23, 2020
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.

Diabolical points in coupled active cavities with quantum emitters

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences have successfully demonstrated diabolical points (DPs) in two strongly coupled microdisks with embedded quantum dots. The system enables a controllable phase shift between the microdisks, indicating potential applications in directional laser and quantum phase control.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJan 15, 2020

Tunable optical chip paves way for new quantum devices

Scientists demonstrate a new type of quantum device using a silicon carbide photonic integrated chip that can be tunable, paving the way for next-generation quantum information processing devices. The approach overcomes some of the fragility drawbacks of previously reported SiC platforms.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateOct 2, 2019
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Compute at the speed of light

A research team at the University of Delaware has designed an integrated photonics platform with a one-dimensional metalens and metasurfaces, limiting information loss and enabling high signal transmission. The device demonstrates functionalities of Fourier transformation and differentiation, critical techniques in physical sciences.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 26, 2019

Miniaturizing medical imaging, sensing technology

Scientists at Columbia University have successfully miniaturized medical imaging technology using a microchip, producing high-quality images with improved depth resolution. The breakthrough could lead to affordable handheld devices for disease diagnosis outside of hospitals in low-resource settings.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateSep 17, 2019
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Kaleidoscope mirror symmetry inspires new design for optical tools, technologies

Researchers have developed a new method for creating mirror-symmetric axes in the polarizations of light, enabling complex manipulations useful in optical tools and technologies. The design, inspired by kaleidoscope symmetry, allows for tightly focused fields with various shapes and introduces elliptical polarization.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateSep 17, 2019

Light and sound in silicon chips: The slower the better

Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed a new concept that combines light and sound waves in standard silicon chips, achieving delays of tens of nano-seconds without introducing additional materials. This breakthrough enables the selective processing of sound waves, which is difficult for electronics and optics alone.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 16, 2019

All-optical diffractive neural network closes performance gap with electronic neural networks

Researchers have developed an all-optical diffractive neural network that achieves unprecedented levels of inference accuracy, closing the performance gap with electronic neural networks. The design incorporates a differential detection scheme, which enables specialized sub-networks to recognize specific object classes.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 13, 2019
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.

Generation and sampling of quantum states of light in a silicon chip

Scientists from the University of Bristol have developed a new platform for quantum simulators, enabling the creation of large-scale photonic circuits. The team demonstrated that small-scale silicon photonic circuits can generate and process unprecedented numbers of photons, paving the way for quantum machines to surpass classical supe...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 2, 2019

Laser light detects tumors

Researchers from Jena have developed a device using laser light to detect tumors, providing real-time information for surgeons. This compact microscope combines three imaging techniques and uses artificial intelligence to analyze tissue samples, promising faster and more reliable results than traditional frozen section diagnostics.

SourceLeibniz-Institute of Photonic Technology·JournalHead & Neck·DateJun 25, 2019

Thinking outside the box: 'Seeing' clearer and deeper into live organs

Researchers developed a new contrast agent using ytterbium to overcome concentration quenching, allowing for improved optical imaging resolution beyond CT and PET technology. The breakthrough enables clearer visualization of whole mice, opening up potential applications in bio-imaging.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 20, 2019

HKUST physicist contributes to new record of quantum memory efficiency

A team of researchers led by Prof. DU Shengwang from HKUST achieved a breakthrough in photonic quantum memories, boosting efficiency to over 85% and fidelity to over 99%. This finding brings the dream of an 'universal' quantum computer closer to reality.

SourceHong Kong University of Science and Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 27, 2019
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.

Largest, fastest array of microscopic 'traffic cops' for optical communications

Researchers create a 240-by-240 array of microscopic 'traffic cops' that can control light beams faster and more efficiently than ever before. The new photonic switch has the potential to transform how information travels through data centers and artificial intelligence networks, overcoming limitations of current electrical switches.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalOptica·DateApr 12, 2019

Harnessing photonics for at-home disease detection

Researchers developed an ultra-thin optical chip that detects biomolecules in a sample and determines their location using metasurfaces. The technology uses image analysis to count biomolecules one by one and identify trends, demonstrating its potential for personalized medicine.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 2, 2019

UCF researchers develop first sypersymmetric laser array

A team of University of Central Florida researchers has developed the first supersymmetric laser array, which overcomes a long-standing problem in laser science. The findings have promising applications in various fields, including medicine, military, industry and communications.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalScience·DateFeb 28, 2019
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.

Researchers move closer to practical photonic quantum computing

A new measurement technique called COSPLI enables researchers to map and measure large-scale photonic quantum correlation with single-photon sensitivity, a critical step towards making photon-based quantum computing practical. The method uses CCD cameras and suppresses noise to detect signals from individual photons.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateFeb 28, 2019

Hyperbolic metamaterials enable nanoscale 'fingerprinting'

Researchers use hyperbolic metamaterials to 'fingerprint' and obtain spatial and material information about nanometer-scale objects. The method resolves features down to 20 nanometers apart, potentially finding applications in biomolecular measurement and industrial product monitoring.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 12, 2019

Scientists build the smallest optical frequency comb to-date

Researchers developed the smallest optical frequency comb source, achieving integrated soliton microcomb with ultra-low losses and fast optical feedback. The compact device operates at 88 GHz repetition rate and offers potential for mass-manufacturable applications in LIDAR and data-centers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 11, 2019
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.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Photonic radiation sensors survive huge doses undamaged

Researchers at NIST discovered that oxide-coated silicon photonic devices can withstand up to 1 million gray of radiation exposure, making them suitable for measuring radiation dose in medical and industrial applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of precise radiation sensors for medical imaging and therapy.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 27, 2018

New concept for tractor beam from Star Wars developed

Researchers at ITMO University propose a new approach to creating tractor beams using hyperbolic metasurfaces, which can capture particles and cells. The study shows that these materials have the potential for practical applications in experiments and traps.

SourceITMO University·JournalACS Photonics·DateNov 27, 2018

Microresonators offer a simpler approach to sensing with light pulses

Researchers developed a simpler method to generate multiple frequency combs using small devices called optical microresonators. The technology generates up to three frequency combs simultaneously, reducing the need for complex synchronization electronics and enabling faster acquisition times.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 1, 2018
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.

Photonic chips harness sound waves to speed up local networks

Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a chip-based technique that uses acoustic noise to increase signal capacity and processing speed in local networks. The new technology harnesses stimulated Brillouin scattering to extract and regenerate electronic signals, promising to reduce latency in high-speed services such as ...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalOptica·DateSep 26, 2018

Shen leads team seeking to improve quantum computation

A team of scientists, led by Dr. Shen, is working on developing a two-photon controlled-phase logic gate, an essential building block for optical quantum information. The team aims to overcome the difficulty in manipulating photons and create a fundamental component for photonic quantum computation.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateSep 24, 2018