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Technology advance could expand the reach of 3D nanoprinting

Researchers develop low-cost 3D nanoprinting system with nanometer-level accuracy for printing microlenses, metamaterials, and micro-optical devices. The system uses a two-step absorption process and integrated fiber-coupled laser diode, making it accessible to scientists beyond optical experts.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 9, 2023

New technique measures structured light in a single shot

Researchers have developed a new measurement technique that uses the Kramers-Kronig relation to untangle complex helical light patterns from camera intensity measurements. This allows for single-shot retrieval of orbital angular momentum spectrum information, accelerating and simplifying the process compared to conventional on-axis int...

Way cool: UVA professor developing ‘freeze ray’ technology for the Air Force

UVA professor Patrick Hopkins is developing a 'freeze ray' technology to cool electronics in spacecraft and high-altitude jets, which can't be cooled by nature due to the vacuum of space. The technology uses heat-generating plasma to create localized cooling, and has been granted $750,000 by the Air Force.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2023

From chaos to light

A team of researchers from EPFL has found a way to harness the unique features of chaotic frequency combs to implement unambiguous and interference-immune massively parallel laser ranging. This innovative approach offers significant advantages over conventional methods, enabling hundreds of multicolor independent optical carriers.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 20, 2023

3D-printed facet-attached microlenses (FaML) could overcome photonic packaging challenges

Researchers have demonstrated a new approach to photonic packaging using 3D-printed FaMLs, which can be printed with high accuracy to connect optical components. This method relaxes alignment tolerances and enables passive assembly techniques, opening an attractive path towards scalable and flexible photonic system assembly.

Photonic snake states

Photonic snake states have been discovered, enabling two-dimensional optical rules with unprecedented versatility. This breakthrough enables the development of broadband, reconfigurable devices with real-time frequency comb generation.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalNature Photonics·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 10, 2023

Multi-dimensional band structure spectroscopy in photonic synthetic frequency dimensions

The team used a photonic resonator to create a multi-dimensional lattice in the synthetic frequency dimension and measured its band structure. The researchers unveiled properties related to nontrivial eigenvalue topology, which are associated with the non-Hermitian skin effect.

Orbital angular momentum boosts multiplexed holography

Researchers have implemented Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) as an independent information carrier for optical holography, leading to OAM multiplexed holography. The new design approach, MHC-OAM, uses spatial light modulators to achieve multiramp helical conical beams with different parameters serving as information encryption or decryp...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJul 5, 2023

Insert an ID card into hair-thin optical fiber with femtosecond laser direct-writing fiber Bragg grating array

Fiber sensing scientists from Shenzhen University have developed an encrypted fiber optic tag that can be used for all-optical labeling and recognition of optical transmission channels. The team proposed a method using fiber Bragg grating arrays prepared by femtosecond laser direct writing to flexibly store different coding sequences.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJul 4, 2023

Limiting loss in leaky fibers

Researchers have figured out why some air-filled fibre designs work so much more efficiently than others. Dr Leah Murphy and Emeritus Professor David Bird from the University of Bath developed a theoretical understanding of the relationship between fibre structure and leakage loss.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalOptica·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 3, 2023

Scientists edge toward scalable quantum simulations on a photonic chip

Researchers from the University of Rochester have made an important step toward developing computers advanced enough to simulate complex natural phenomena at the quantum level. They developed a new chip-scale optical quantum simulation system that could help make such a system feasible, using photonics-based synthetic dimensions.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 29, 2023

Transferring data with many colors of light simultaneously

Researchers at Columbia University develop an energy-efficient method for transferring larger quantities of data over fiber-optic cables by using wavelength-division multiplexing and Kerr frequency combs. The new technology improves on previous attempts to transmit multiple signals simultaneously, enabling systems to transfer exponenti...

CityU awarded invention: Soft, ultrathin photonic material cools down wearable electronic devices

A research team at CityU developed a multifunctional composite polymer coating with both radiative and non-radiative cooling capacity, enhancing heat dissipation in wearable electronics. The cooling interface achieved temperature drops of over 56°C, improving the performance of skin electronic devices.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2023

Researchers make major strides toward an all-purpose biosensor chip

The researchers have demonstrated significant improvements for chip-based sensing devices that can detect or analyze substances across widely varying concentrations. They developed signal-processing techniques that enable seamless fluorescence detection of a mixture of nanobeads in concentrations across eight orders of magnitude.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJun 22, 2023

World’s first demonstration of terahertz signal transparent relay and switching

Researchers developed a system to transmit high-capacity terahertz-wave signals to different locations using direct terahertz-optical conversion and fiber-wireless technology, achieving 32 Gb/s capacity. The system overcomes radio communications limitations in the terahertz band, expanding communication coverage.

Technology advance lays groundwork for OCT eye imaging at home

Researchers have developed a custom OCT setup that incorporates a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode, which could increase access to OCT imaging and help catch eye problems early. The system performed well in imaging the eye of a healthy volunteer and showed potential for use in biometric eye scanner systems.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 1, 2023

Researchers at the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw have created a new, highly efficient converter of quantum information carriers

A new technique developed by researchers at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Physics allows for up to a 200-fold change in pulse duration with an efficiency of 25 percent. This enables quantum Internet links to operate up to 50 times faster, contributing to the development of superfast quantum connections.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 25, 2023

Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a multifunctional interface between photonic integrated circuits and free space, allowing for simultaneous manipulation of multiple light beams. The device operates with high accuracy and reliability, enabling applications in quantum computing, sensing, imaging, energy, and more.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateMay 24, 2023

Researchers develop flexible sweat sensor based on photonic cellulose nanocrystal

A sustainable, insoluble, and chiral photonic cellulose nanocrystal patch enables calcium ion (Ca2+) sensing in sweat. The researchers developed a simple method to fabricate CNC-based hydrogels, which exhibit freeze resistance, strong adhesion, good biocompatibility, and high sensitivity to Ca2+.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalSmall·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 8, 2023

Researchers detect and classify multiple objects without images

A new technique called image-free single-pixel object detection (SPOD) can detect the location, size, and category of multiple objects without acquiring images. SPOD uses a small optimized structured light pattern to quickly scan the scene and extract features, achieving an accuracy of over 80%.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateMay 3, 2023

Neural networks on photonic chips: harnessing light for ultra-fast and low-power artificial intelligence

Researchers have developed photonic neural networks that can achieve precision comparable to conventional neural networks but with considerable energy savings. The devices use a programmable grid of silicon interferometers to perform calculations in under 0.1 nanoseconds, paving the way for faster and more efficient AI applications.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2023

Lithography-free photonic chip offers speed and accuracy for artificial intelligence

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have created a photonic device that provides programmable on-chip information processing without lithography. This breakthrough enables superior accuracy and flexibility for AI applications, overcoming limitations of traditional electronic systems.