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New software based on Artificial Intelligence helps to interpret complex data

Researchers have developed a new software based on artificial intelligence that can help interpret complex data. The software, called disentangled variational autoencoder network (β-VAE), uses two neural networks to compress and reconstruct data, allowing humans to understand the underlying core principle without prior knowledge.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 20, 2022

New 3D live hologram technology to save lives in field hospitals

Researchers at ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems have developed a miniaturized optical system that can be integrated on a chip, allowing for the creation of 3D holograms. This technology has the potential to replace current 2D imaging, enabling less invasive surgeries and better surgical outcomes.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 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.

Particles of light may create fluid flow, data-theory comparison suggests

Theoretical calculations and experimental data from the ATLAS detector suggest that photons can create a fluid of strongly interacting particles in collisions with heavy ions. This is supported by observations of particle flow patterns similar to those seen in lead-lead and proton-lead collisions.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 13, 2022

Scientists find new hints that dark matter could be made up of dark photons

Researchers have found a possible explanation for the discrepancy between observations and simulations in the cosmic web. By using low-redshift intergalactic medium data as a calorimeter, they discovered that ultralight dark photons could provide an additional heating mechanism to reconcile the difference.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 12, 2022

New, portable device detects glow emitted by plants to measure their health

A new portable device can detect the low-intensity light emission from healthy plants, allowing researchers to measure their health and sustainability. This technology can help assess the impact of CO2 emissions, greenhouse gases, and extreme weather events on plant stress and inform strategies for sustainable agriculture.

SourceYork University·JournalBiosensors·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 6, 2022

Photon-efficient volumetric imaging with light-sheet scanning fluorescence microscopy

Researchers developed a photon-efficient volumetric imaging method, laterally swept light-sheet microscopy (iLSLM), which improves axial resolution and optical sectioning while reducing photobleaching. iLSLM outperforms conventional methods like swept focus light-sheet microscopy in terms of resolution and photon efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateDec 5, 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.

Advancing light-driven micromotors

Scientists have successfully demonstrated light-induced locomotion in a nonliquid environment using antimony telluride plates. The new type of motion, driven by thermal effects, enables efficient actuation in vacuum systems, opening up possibilities for mobile photonic modulation and multimode micro robots.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2022

Achieving a quantum fiber

ICFO researchers successfully demonstrate transport of two-photon quantum states through a phase-separated Anderson localization optical fiber, showing maintained spatial anti-correlation. The phase-separated fiber enables efficient transmission of quantum information via Corning's optical fiber.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalCommunications Physics·DateNov 23, 2022

Microlaser chip adds new dimensions to quantum communication

Researchers at Penn Engineering have created a chip that outstrips existing quantum communications hardware, communicating in qudits and doubling the quantum information space. The technology enables significant advances in quantum cryptography, raising the maximum secure key rate for information exchange.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2022

Researchers control individual light quanta at very high speed

A team of researchers has successfully controlled individual photons on a chip with unprecedented precision, enabling the development of hybrid quantum technologies. By harnessing nanoscale soundwaves, they can switch photons between two outputs at gigahertz frequencies, paving the way for secure quantum communication networks.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Centimeter-scale multicolor printing with a pixelated optical cavity

Researchers have developed a method for centimeter-scale color printing using grayscale laser writing, achieving vivid and fine-tunable colors. The technique leverages pixelated optical cavities to generate transmission colors with a transmission efficiency of 39-50%.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics Nexus·DateNov 10, 2022

A new way of fabricating high-efficiency diffraction gratings for astronomical spectroscopy

Researchers develop a new way to manufacture high-efficiency diffraction gratings using reactive ion-plasma etching, achieving near-theoretical unpolarized diffraction efficiency of 94.3%. The process enables robust and durable gratings suitable for harsh environments.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Astronomical Telescopes Instruments and Systems·DateNov 10, 2022

Breakthrough: The world's smallest photon in a dielectric material

A research team from DTU has successfully designed and built a structure that concentrates light in a volume 12 times below the diffraction limit, paving the way for revolutionary new technologies. The breakthrough could lead to more sustainable chip architectures that use less energy.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 26, 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.

Physicists confirm hitch in proton structure

Nuclear physicists have confirmed a bump in the data of proton structure measurements, revealing an unexplained spike in electric polarizability. The anomaly is puzzling experts, who believe it may indicate an unknown facet of the strong force at work.

SourceDOE/Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 19, 2022

New measurements quantifying qudits provide glimpse of quantum future

A multi-institutional team has developed an efficient method for measuring high-dimensional qudits, which are more resistant to noise and can carry more information than qubits. The technique uses phase modulators and pulse shapers to characterize qudit entanglement with unprecedented precision.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 13, 2022

Through thick and thin: X-rays track the behavior of soft materials

Scientists explore the dynamics of soft materials like toothpaste and hair gel using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). The technique reveals microscopic dynamics and helps understand properties like viscosity and elasticity. Insights gained can aid in designing consumer products, nanotechnologies, and drug delivery systems.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 10, 2022

Optical foundations illuminated by quantum light

A team at Tampere University has demonstrated that quantum waves behave differently from classical counterparts, increasing the precision of distance measurements. Their findings also shed light on the physical origin of the Gouy phase anomaly in focused light fields.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 7, 2022
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.

Milestones achieved on the path to useful quantum technologies

Scientists from Paderborn and Ulm universities create a programmable optical quantum memory, enabling the efficient growth of large entangled states. This breakthrough milestone brings researchers closer to practical applications of useful quantum technologies.

SourceUniversität Paderborn·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 6, 2022

NIST’s superconducting hardware could scale up brain-inspired computing

Scientists have developed a solution to communication challenges in neuromorphic chips using superconducting devices. This allows artificial neural systems to operate 100,000 times faster than the human brain, with potential applications in industrial control and human conversations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature Electronics·DateOct 6, 2022

Solar harvesting system has potential to generate solar power 24/7

A University of Houston professor has developed a nonreciprocal solar energy harvesting system that surpasses the thermodynamic limit and clears the way to use solar power 24/7. The new system can achieve significant efficiency boosts, paving the way for practical applications in power plants.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 3, 2022

“Twisty” photons could turbocharge next-gen quantum communication

Scientists at Stevens Institute of Technology have created a method to encode more information into a single photon, enabling faster and more powerful quantum communication tools. The twisty photon technology uses orbital angular momentum to boost the bandwidth of quantum communication systems.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 22, 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.

Through the quantum looking glass

Scientists have developed a thin device that can produce complex webs of entangled photons, enabling new information processing schemes and advanced encryption methods. The device uses a metasurface to control the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, paving the way for more compact and powerful computing and sensing technologies.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2022

New photodetector design inspired by plant photosynthesis

The new photodetector design combines long-range transport of optical energy with long-range conversion to electrical current, mimicking the photosynthetic complexes found in plants. The device can gather light from areas of about 0.01 mm² and achieve conversion of light to electrical current over exceptionally long distances of 0.1 nm.

SourceOptica·JournalOptica·DateSep 1, 2022

Entangled photons tailor-made

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have successfully generated up to 14 entangled photons using a single atom, enabling efficient creation of quantum computer building blocks. This breakthrough could facilitate scalable measurement-based quantum computing and enable secure data transmission over greater distances.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 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.

New quantum technology combines free electrons and photons

Scientists from Göttingen and Lausanne successfully created electron-photon pairs in an electron microscope for the first time. This breakthrough enables researchers to harness free electrons and photons in a controlled manner.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2022

The photon ring: A black hole ready for its close-up

A team of researchers used sophisticated imaging algorithms to reveal a thin, bright ring of light created by photons flung around the back of a supermassive black hole. The photon ring, comprising increasingly sharp sub-rings, confirms theoretical predictions and offers new ways to explore these mysterious objects.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·DateAug 16, 2022

Getting more out of light

Scientists at KAUST have successfully created a semiconductor material with multiple exciton generation, resulting in a photocurrent quantum efficiency of over 100%. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cells and light-harvesting applications.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Photonics·DateAug 4, 2022

A boost in performances in fibre-integrated quantum memories

Researchers have demonstrated a significant improvement in fibre-integrated quantum memories, achieving an entanglement storage time of over 1000 microseconds. The fully integrated device enables the use of sophisticated control systems, allowing for improved scalability and compatibility with telecommunications infrastructure.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 11, 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.

Nanostructured surfaces for future quantum computer chips

Scientists have created a new technology that can manipulate light in non-reciprocal ways, allowing for more advanced applications in quantum computing. The innovation uses nanostructured surfaces to convert infrared light into visible light, enabling the creation of specific photon conditions.

SourceUniversität Paderborn·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 22, 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.

Twin photons from unequal sources

Scientists have produced identical photons originating from different sources, a crucial step towards applications like quantum computing and secure communication. The researchers achieved this by using precise electric fields to tune the energy levels of quantum dots, resulting in 93% identical photons.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 13, 2022

All-attosecond pump-probe spectroscopy

The researchers successfully demonstrated attosecond-pump attosecond-probe spectroscopy to study non-linear multi-photon ionization of atoms. The experiment showed that the absorption of four photons from two attosecond pulse trains led to three electrons being removed from an argon atom.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 9, 2022

Investigating electrons with a traditional scanning microscope

Physicists at FAU have designed a framework to observe light-electron interactions using traditional SEMs, reducing costs and increasing experiment range. This photon-induced electron microscopy (PINEM) technique allows for precise measurements of energy changes in electrons.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2022

A novel all-optical switching method makes optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient

A novel all-optical switching method has been developed to make optical computing and communication systems more power-efficient. The method utilizes the quantum optical phenomenon of Enhancement of Index of Refraction (EIR) to achieve ultrafast switching times, ultralow threshold control power, and high switching efficiency.

SourceTampere University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A novel path for sustainable photon upconversion with non-precious metals

Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have achieved a breakthrough in using chromium compounds for efficient green-to-blue photon upconversion. This process can expand the use of low-energy sunlight in solar cells and photochemical reactions, reducing environmental impacts associated with rare metal extraction.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 3, 2022

Time-reversal asymmetry surpasses conversion efficiency limit for solar cells

Researchers have developed a single-cell PV design integrated with nonreciprocal optical components to provide 100-percent reuse of emitted radiation, breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit. This breakthrough enables a quasimonochromatic radiation converter to reach the theoretically maximum Carnot efficiency.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022

Novel solar cell architecture performs well under real-world constraints

Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateJun 1, 2022

Secure communication with light particles

Researchers at TU Darmstadt have developed a scalable quantum network that enables secure key exchange and protection of sensitive information. The system uses entanglement-based time-bin coding to distribute photons to users, ensuring robust security against eavesdropping attacks.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalPRX Quantum·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 25, 2022
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.

The limits of vision: Seeing shadows in the dark

Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a dedicated neural pathway in the retina that can detect even the dimmest shadows possible. This breakthrough could lead to unprecedented resolution in probing visual diseases.

SourceAalto University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 23, 2022

Organic polymeric scintillators excite X-ray community

Researchers developed efficient metal-free polymeric scintillators for high-resolution X-ray imaging, outperforming conventional anthracene-based scintillators. The polymers exhibit multicolor radioluminescence and high photostability, enabling applications in radiation detection, medical diagnosis, and security inspection.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMay 17, 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.

The quest for an ideal quantum bit

A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory has developed a new qubit platform formed by freezing neon gas into a solid and trapping an electron there. The platform shows great promise in achieving ideal building blocks for future quantum computers, with promising coherence times competitive with state-of-the-art qubits.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateMay 4, 2022

Compact Light Source based on the movement of atoms

Researchers demonstrate atomic scale memristors capable of emitting photons during resistive switching, providing a compact and CMOS-compatible light source. The 'Atomic Photon Source' consists of a planar Ag/amorphous SiOx/Pt junction with optical antennas, emitting light during electrical connection formation.

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

TCSPC technique to visualize the weak pulse electroluminescence

Researchers developed an improved transient spectrometer combining TCSPC with a pulse generator to investigate energy transfer mechanisms and exciton evolution in organic light emitting diodes. The technique's superior sensitivity enables extraction of mobility information, providing valuable insights into device physics.

SourceHigher Education Press·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

Delivery light energy ultra-deep into turbid medium by controlling photons to travel in open channels

Researchers propose new method to enhance light delivery and focusing in scattering mediums, enabling deep imaging and biomedicine applications. The technique uses flying spot Reflection Matrix Optical Coherence Tomography (RMOCT) to separate multiple scattering photons and control their energy.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateApr 27, 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.

The use of photons to create an artificial quantum neuron

Researchers have engineered an optical device with functional characteristics similar to memristors, which can operate on quantum states of light and encode quantum information. This breakthrough enables the creation of a quantum memristor, potentially bridging artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2022

Shedding new light on controlling material properties

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a scaling law that determines high-order harmonic generation in the perovskite material Ca2RuO4. The phenomenon, which was first observed in atomic gas systems, has been found to be highly dependent on temperature and gap energy.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2022

A bright future: Seeking a third generation of better performing solar cells

Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Photonics for Energy·DateApr 5, 2022

X-rays help scientists uncover new forms of material using designer DNA

Researchers use DNA to program metal nanoparticles to assemble into new configurations, resulting in the discovery of three new crystalline phases. The approach enables symmetry breaking and creation of complex colloidal crystal structures with unique optical and catalytic properties.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 31, 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.

Pivotal battery discovery could impact transportation and the grid

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a key reason for the performance decline of sodium-ion batteries, which are promising candidates for replacing lithium-ion materials. By adjusting synthesis conditions, they can fabricate far superior cathodes that will maintain performance with long-term cycling.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 24, 2022

Artificial neurons go quantum with photonic circuits

Researchers at the University of Vienna have created a quantum memristor that combines artificial intelligence and quantum computing. The device uses single photons to achieve memristive behavior, which can be used for learning on both classical and quantum tasks.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Photonics·DateMar 24, 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.