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Anomalous weak values via a single photon detection

Researchers demonstrate a novel measurement paradigm dubbed Robust Weak Measurement, measuring an anomalous weak value with a single photon detection event. The team obtains an observable with eigenvalues in the range [-7,7] and reports a weak value of the pre- and postselected system on which a single-click measurement was performed.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJun 10, 2021

Observing quantum coherence from photons scattered in free-space

Scientists have successfully transferred and recovered quantum coherence from photons scattered in free-space for the first time, paving the way for new applications in quantum communication, imaging, and sensing. The novel technique uses custom hardware to maintain coherence even after scattering from a diffuse surface.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateJun 10, 2021
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.

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.

Non-linear optics meets X-rays

Scientists have developed a method to shape soft X-ray pulses with high precision, using self-phase modulation in the X-ray regime. This technique has the potential to unlock new protocols for femtosecond core electrons spectroscopies.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·DateMay 13, 2021

Thin, large-area device converts infrared light into images

A new infrared imager developed by researchers at the University of California San Diego converts shortwave infrared light into visible images using organic semiconductors. The device is compact, simple, and provides better image resolution than existing systems.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 5, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Complex shapes of photons to boost future quantum technologies

Assistant Professor Robert Fickler and Doctoral Researcher Markus Hiekkamäki demonstrated near-perfect two-photon interference control using spatial photon shape. The method holds promise for building new linear optical networks and developing quantum-enhanced sensing techniques.

SourceTampere University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 4, 2021

UMD team demonstrates swarm of photons that somersault in lockstep

Researchers at the University of Maryland have demonstrated a swarm of photons that somersault in lockstep, pointing their spin perpendicular to their direction of propagation. This surprising result has potential applications in nonlinear optics and free-space optical communications.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalOptica·DateMay 4, 2021

Creation without contact in the collisions of lead and gold nuclei

Experiments show that photon collisions lead to excess particles, previously unexplained. Theoretical description now includes photon interactions to explain data collected from LHC and RHIC collisions.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysics Letters B·DateApr 29, 2021

CCNY team makes single photon switch advance

The City College of New York team demonstrated the use of Rydberg states to enhance nonlinear optical interactions in solid state systems, creating a chip-scale scalable single photon switch. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum photonic technologies by amplifying scalability.

SourceCity College of New York·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2021

With new optical device, engineers can fine tune the color of light

Researchers at Stanford University developed an optical device that allows engineers to change the frequencies of individual photons in a stream of light. This enables the creation of compact and flexible neural networks for artificial intelligence, transforming fields such as digital communications, AI, and quantum computing.

SourceStanford University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 23, 2021
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.

Tiny chip-based device performs ultrafast modulation of X-rays

Researchers developed a new x-ray optics-on-a-chip device that can modulate X-rays at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional devices. The tiny device, weighing just 3 micrograms, has the potential to capture fast chemical, material and biological processes.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 20, 2021

Following atoms in real time could lead to better materials design

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a technique to track individual atoms in real time, allowing for greater control over material growth. This breakthrough could enable more precise design and manufacture of materials with unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 12, 2021

See further: Scientists achieve single-photon imaging over 200km

Researchers developed a new noise-suppression technique that reduces noise photon counts by at least 50 times, enabling accurate 3D imaging up to 201.5 km with single-photon sensitivity. The technique is achieved through optimized transceiver optics and coating the telescope for high transmission.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalOptica·DateApr 5, 2021

A new state of light

Researchers at the University of Bonn have discovered a new phase transition in an optical Bose-Einstein condensate of light particles. The overdamped phase exhibits unique properties that could be used to transmit quantum-encrypted messages between multiple participants.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateApr 1, 2021
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

String theory solves mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole photon sphere

Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery about how particles behave outside a black hole's photon sphere using string theory. The study finds that string theory resolves singularities caused by tidal effects on nearby strings, supporting the idea of extended objects like strings as degrees of freedom in quantum gravity.

SourceKavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe·JournalPhysical Review D·DateMar 29, 2021

Diamond color centers for nonlinear photonics

A team of researchers at the University of Tsukuba demonstrated second-order nonlinear optical effects in diamonds using internal color center defects. This breakthrough may lead to faster internet communications, all-optical computers, and quantum sensing technologies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Photonics·DateMar 22, 2021

Machine learning shows potential to enhance quantum information transfer

Researchers from Louisiana State University demonstrated a machine learning approach that corrects distorted quantum information in photon systems. This method outperforms traditional protocols, showcasing the potential for machine learning to enhance quantum sensing and communications technologies on the battlefield.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Quantum Technologies·DateMar 22, 2021
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

HAWC: Are photons of extreme energies coming from the Galaxy's largest accelerator?

The HAWC Observatory has detected photons with energies of up to 200 TeV, a hundred trillion times greater than visible light. The source of these high-energy photons was identified as a nearby cloud of interstellar material surrounding a young star cluster.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateMar 18, 2021

A monumental particle accelerator in the Cygnus Cocoon

The Cygnus Cocoon is found to be the most powerful of our galaxy's known natural particle accelerators, with photons recorded from energies up to one hundred teraelectronvolts. The HAWC observatory detected this phenomenon, suggesting that protons accelerated in stellar winds could be responsible for high-energy gamma photon emission.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMar 11, 2021

Twistoptics--A new way to control optical nonlinearity

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a new technique to control optical nonlinearity in 2D materials. The twistoptics approach enables giant nonlinear optical responses in small volumes, leading to compact laser systems and potential applications in quantum computing, spectroscopy,...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 4, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Heat-free optical switch would enable optical quantum computing chips

A heat-free optical switch developed by KTH researchers can control single photons without generating heat, making it compatible with sensitive single-photon detectors. This technology is crucial for integrating optical switches and photon detectors in a single chip, paving the way for quantum computing and communication advancements.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 3, 2021

Intriguing particles emerge when two photons couple

Scientists at University of Bath found a way to bind two photons together, creating photon-photon polaritons with predicted masses 1,000+ times lighter than electrons. This discovery has potential applications in terabit and quantum optical communication schemes and precision measurements.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateMar 2, 2021
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.

Twin atoms: A source for entangled particles

Researchers at TU Wien have produced well-defined beams of entangled atoms using ultracold atom clouds in electromagnetic traps. The creation of controlled twin pairs has been demonstrated, allowing for new quantum experiments to be carried out with these atom pairs.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2021

LHC/ATLAS: A unique observation of particle pair creation in photon-photon collisions

The ATLAS experiment at the LHC has observed the creation of particle pairs from interacting photons, a unique and rare process. The detection was made possible by the AFP spectrometers, which track protons slightly deflected from the main beam, providing insight into the physics of high-energy collisions.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 18, 2021

Quantum computing: when ignorance is wanted

Researchers have developed a new quantum computation protocol that allows for homomorphic quantum encryption, enabling secure delegation of computations without compromising data privacy. The protocol's security improves with increasing complexity of calculations.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateFeb 18, 2021

Physicists finesse the storing of light to create rainbows of colour

Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a way to use resonance to store light energy more effectively in microresonators. This leads to the creation of rainbow-like structures called frequency combs, which can be used for precise measurements and applications such as pollution monitoring and radar technology

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalPhysical Review A·DateFeb 9, 2021
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.

Breakthrough in quantum photonics promises a new era in optical circuits

Researchers at USC have developed a method to create single photons from quantum dots arranged in a precise pattern, paving the way for the production of optical circuits. This breakthrough has potential applications in quantum communication, imaging, sensing, and computation.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 5, 2021

Physicists develop record-breaking source for single photons

Researchers have created a photon source that can produce billions of single photons per second, significantly increasing efficiency over previous systems. This breakthrough has significant consequences for quantum cryptography and computing, with potential applications in secure communications and quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJan 28, 2021

White turns into (extreme-)ultraviolet

Scientists at Max Born Institute create new method for generating narrowband XUV laser pulses by employing four-wave mixing scheme. This enables applications in electron spectroscopy, resonant transitions, and coherent diffractive imaging.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 25, 2021

Search for axions from nearby star Betelgeuse comes up empty

Physicists at MIT searched for axions in Betelgeuse, a nearby star expected to burn out soon, but found no signs of the hypothetical dark matter particles. The null result sets new constraints on axion properties, making it harder to detect them through X-ray signals.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 21, 2021

Do simulations represent the real world at the atomic scale?

A team of researchers developed a new validation protocol to confirm the accuracy of computer simulations at the atomic scale. They compared high-resolution X-ray reflectivity measurements with simulated results, providing insights into the complexities of solid-liquid interfaces.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJan 19, 2021
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.

Columbia engineers first to observe avalanches in nanoparticles

Researchers at Columbia University have developed the first nanomaterial that demonstrates photon avalanching, a process with extreme nonlinear optical behavior and efficiency. The realization of this phenomenon in nanoparticle form opens up new applications in sensing, imaging, and light detection.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 2021

Shine on: Avalanching nanoparticles break barriers to imaging cells in real time

A new class of crystalline material called avalanching nanoparticles (ANPs) overcomes the diffraction limit without heavy computation or a super-resolution microscope. ANPs enable real-time high-resolution bioimaging of cells' organelles and proteins, as well as ultrasensitive optical sensors and neuromorphic computing.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 2021

High-flux table-top source for femtosecond hard X-ray pulses

Researchers at the Max Born Institute developed a novel laser-driven X-ray source generating femtosecond copper K° pulses with unprecedented flux of 10^12 photons per second. This breakthrough enables investigating ultrafast structure changes in condensed matter by time-resolved X-ray scattering.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 7, 2021

Mapping out a transient atom

A new experiment provides insights into transient atomic states, enabling better understanding of photocatalysis, elementary steps in photosynthesis and radiation damage. The study uses high-resolution electron spectroscopy to capture a snapshot of the short-lived state produced when X-rays interact with neon atoms.

SourceEuropean XFEL·JournalPhysical Review X·DateDec 22, 2020

Experiments first verify distributed quantum phase estimation

Researchers at USTC achieve experimental verification of distribution quantum phase estimation, surpassing classical limits in metrology. They demonstrate enhanced sensitivity in measuring multiple parameters simultaneously with high precision.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalNature Photonics·DateDec 21, 2020
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.

UArizona researcher wins $1 million NSF C-Accel Grant

The University of Arizona team led by Zheshen Zhang is creating a prototype of an entangled sensor array to improve navigation, health care, and communication technologies. The project aims to develop affordable, compact optomechanical sensors for vehicle navigation and other applications.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateDec 21, 2020

Physics breakthrough of the year

Researchers at the University of Jena have developed a light-emitting silicon alloy, paving the way for silicon lasers that could revolutionize optical data processing. The alloy's unique crystal structure enhances the probability of efficient photon emission.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·DateDec 17, 2020

Stevens creates entangled photons 100 times more efficiently than previously possible

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a chip-based photon source that's 100 times more efficient than any previous device, allowing the creation of tens of millions of entangled photon pairs per second. The new source uses nanoscale microcavities to create entangled photons with virtually no waste energy.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 17, 2020

Quantum interference in time

Nicolas Cerf and Michael Jabbour identify a new form of quantum interference that occurs through time, using an optical amplifier to produce identical photons. This phenomenon challenges our classical understanding of space-based interference.

SourceUniversité libre de Bruxelles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2020
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Under wraps: X-rays reveal 1,900-year-old mummy's secrets

Researchers used X-ray beams to examine a 1,900-year-old mummy, revealing details about the child's body and burial artifacts. The examination confirmed the presence of a sacred calcite amulet and provided insights into the preservation process used by ancient Egyptians.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 9, 2020

Quantum X-ray microscope underway at Brookhaven Lab

Researchers at NSLS-II are building a quantum-enhanced x-ray microscope to image biomolecules like never before, enabling superior resolution without sacrificing dose. The facility's ultrabright light will be harnessed through ghost imaging techniques to preserve sensitive samples.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateNov 23, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Analysis paves way for more sensitive quantum sensors

Theoretical researchers at the University of Chicago have found a way to make quantum sensors exponentially more sensitive by harnessing a unique physics phenomenon. This breakthrough could lead to improved detection and diagnosis of diseases, prediction of natural disasters, and exploration without digging.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2020

Building a quantum network one node at a time

Scientists at University of Rochester and Cornell University have developed a nanoscale node made of magnetic and semiconducting materials that can interact with other nodes using laser light. The device uses entanglement, a phenomenon in quantum mechanics, to connect quantum nodes across a remote network.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 4, 2020
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.

Devil in the defect detail of quantum emissions unravelled

Scientists have uncovered the chemical structure behind defects in white graphene that emit single photons, paving the way for controlled fabrication and practical applications. The study reveals a direct link between carbon incorporation and quantum emission, with potential implications for quantum sensing and computing.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalNature Materials·DateNov 2, 2020

Infrared light antenna powers molecular motor

Scientists at the University of Groningen designed a rotary motor powered by near-infrared light, overcoming a major limitation of previous designs. The motor uses an antenna to absorb two low-energy photons, which are then transferred to initiate movement.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 28, 2020