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Breakthrough in computer chip energy efficiency could cut data center electricity use

Researchers at Oregon State University and Baylor University have made a breakthrough in reducing the energy consumption of photonic chips used in data centers and supercomputers. By using a new, ultra-energy-efficient method to compensate for temperature variations, they were able to reduce energy needs by over 1 million times.

SourceOregon State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Boost for the quantum internet

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have created a fully functioning quantum repeater node, enabling entanglement creation and swapping over 50 kilometers. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of connecting distant cities through secure, high-performance quantum communication networks.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

A new twist on chirality: researchers extend the concept of directionality and propose a new class of materials

A team led by Taylor Hughes and Gaurav Bahl has experimentally realized a theoretical extension of chirality in two dimensions. They constructed a topological circuit network to explore new behaviors predicted by this extended chirality, which manifests as locking between a particle's flow direction and an arrow carried along with it.

Neutron star’s X-rays reveal ‘photon metamorphosis’

A Cornell astrophysicist explains how the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) satellite detected polarized X-rays from a magnetar, revealing 'photon metamorphosis' – a transformation of X-ray photons. The phenomenon is a natural consequence of quantum electrodynamics under strong magnetic field conditions.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 4, 2023

Tunneling electrons

Physicists at FAU have successfully measured and controlled electron release from metals in the attosecond range using a special strategy. This achievement could lead to new quantum-mechanical insights and enable electronic circuits that are a million times faster than current technology.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 26, 2023

Scientists demonstrate unprecedented sensitivity in measuring time delay between two photons

A team of researchers has achieved unparalleled precision in measuring the time delay between two photons using frequency-resolving sampling measurements. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient characterisation of nanostructures, including biological samples and nanomaterial surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Portsmouth·JournalPhysical Review Applied·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023

Ultra-miniaturized non-classical light sources for quantum devices

The researchers developed a method to create ultracompact photonic crystal cavities that can generate entangled photons. The discovery is crucial for the development of quantum computing and sensing applications. By controlling the cavity's properties, they can efficiently convert pump power into coherent light.

SourceInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics·TypeNews article·DateApr 20, 2023

Photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy for lipid imaging

This technology uses light and sound to create images of the inside of the body. The research team developed a novel method that eliminates the need for ultrasonic transducers, allowing for non-contact photoacoustic signal detection and improved sensitivity. The technique has great application potential in various biomedical research.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023

Ultrafast beam-steering breakthrough at Sandia Labs

A team of researchers has demonstrated the ability to dynamically steer incoherent light pulses using a semiconductor device, paving the way for applications such as holograms, remote sensing, and self-driving cars. The technique uses metasurfaces to manipulate light waves, offering a low-power alternative to traditional laser beams.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

Thinking big and dark by starting small and light

Scientists at Kyoto University have established a new experimental method to examine ultra-light dark matter, addressing the challenging problem of detection. By applying millimeter-wave sensing technology in cryogenic conditions, they were able to detect dark photons with a mass range previously unexplored.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

Scientists open door to manipulating ‘quantum light’

Researchers at the University of Sydney and the University of Basel have demonstrated the ability to manipulate and identify small numbers of interacting photons with high correlation. This achievement represents a significant step towards advancing medical imaging and quantum computing technologies.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2023

High-performance detectors to combat spies

A team from UNIGE and ID Quantique has developed single-photon detectors that can generate secret keys at a rate of 64 megabits per second, overcoming current limitations. This innovation enables ultra-secure data transfer for banks, healthcare systems, governments, and the military.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Photonics·TypeNews article·DateMar 13, 2023

This ‘Harry Potter’ light sensor achieves magically high efficiency of 200 per cent

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a photodiode with sensitivity exceeding 200%, using green light and a double-layered cell design. This breakthrough enables the device to detect weak light signals, making it ideal for medical purposes, wearable monitoring, and machine vision applications.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Upconversion of infrared photons enables rapid organic synthesis under sunlight

A research group has reported efficient near-infrared photon upconversion sensitized by lead-free semiconductor nanocrystals, demonstrating its novel application in solar synthesis. The study achieves external quantum efficiency of 16.7% and enables rapid organic synthesis under indoor sunlight.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 6, 2023

Princeton researchers reveal microscopic quantum correlations of ultracold molecules

Princeton researchers have achieved a major breakthrough by microscopically studying molecular gases at a level never before achieved. The team cooled molecules to ultracold temperatures, observed individual molecules with high spatial resolution, and detected subtle quantum correlations, opening up new avenues for many-body physics re...

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023

New detector could enable high-speed quantum communication

Researchers have developed a new detector that can precisely measure single photons at very high rates, enabling practical high-speed quantum communication. The PEACOQ detector is made of superconducting nanowires and operates at extremely cold temperatures, allowing for precise measurement of photon arrival times.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateJan 26, 2023

Physical effect also valid in the quantum world

Physicists at the University of Bonn have experimentally proven the applicability of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem to Bose-Einstein condensates made of photons. The study reveals a direct relationship between fluctuation and sensitivity, enabling precise temperature determination in complex photonic systems.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 20, 2023

Tailoring 'hollow' hydrogen molecule generation with two-color, bicircularly polarized laser pulses

A team of researchers has developed an experimental method to manipulate the Rydberg state excitation in hydrogen molecules using bicircular two-color laser pulses. By controlling the photon effect and field effect, they were able to generate Rydberg states while varying the extent to which each effect contributed to the process.

New spectroscopy technique improves trace element detection in liquid

Researchers have developed a new spectroscopy technique called filament- and plasma-grating-induced breakdown spectroscopy (F-GIBS), which improves the sensitivity of trace metal detection in liquid samples. The technique uses fluid jets to analyze aqueous solutions and achieves high precision by avoiding detrimental influences of liqu...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateJan 4, 2023

Physicists develop a new method that strengthens electron-triggered light emission with flat bands Shedding light to produce new sources of light and build quantum-based computational and communications systems

Researchers at The University of Hong Kong and MIT have developed a new method to produce stronger interactions between photons and electrons, enabling hundredfold increases in light emission. This breakthrough has potential ramifications for commercial applications and fundamental scientific research.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 4, 2023