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Want to catch a photon? Start by silencing the sun

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a 3D imaging system that uses light's quantum properties to create images 40,000 times crisper than current technologies. The system, which employs Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting (QPMS), reduces single-photon noise by exponentially cleaning up noisy images.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 24, 2020

What if we could teach photons to behave like electrons?

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a trick to precisely control photons, the basic particles of light. This breakthrough enables the creation of light-based chips that could deliver far greater computational power than electronic chips.

SourceStanford University School of Engineering·JournalScience·DateFeb 19, 2020
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.

Invisible X-rays turn blue

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new reaction system that detects X-rays at the highest sensitivity ever recorded using organic molecules. The system can detect even the faintest X-ray levels considered dangerous, making it safer for workers exposed to radiation.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalChemical Science·DateFeb 7, 2020

New quasi-particle discovered: The Pi-ton

Physicists at Vienna University of Technology have discovered a new type of quasi-particle called the pi-ton, which consists of two electrons and two holes. The pi-ton is created by absorbing a photon and decays into another photon, exhibiting properties similar to those of particles.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 4, 2020

Argonne and Washington University scientists unravel mystery of photosynthesis

Researchers at Argonne and Washington University have discovered an engineered version of a protein complex that enables the switch between two possible electron transfer pathways, opening up new opportunities for designing more efficient light-driven biochemical reactions. This breakthrough has significant implications for improving h...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 4, 2020

Senior Chemist Mark Beno receives posthumous AAAS fellow distinction

Mark Beno, a senior chemist at Argonne National Laboratory, was posthumously awarded the AAAS Fellow distinction for his pioneering work on chemical crystallography. He made significant contributions to understanding high-temperature superconductors and developed beamlines at the Advanced Photon Source.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateJan 28, 2020

Lin Chen receives Award in Experimental Physical Chemistry

Lin X. Chen, a senior chemist at Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University professor, has received the 2020 Award in Experimental Physical Chemistry for her fundamental contributions to elucidating excited state structures, dynamics, and energetics of light harvesting systems.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateJan 24, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Quantum physics: On the way to quantum networks

Researchers successfully demonstrated the transport of an entangled state between an atom and a photon via an optic fiber over a distance of up to 20 km. This achievement sets a new record for quantum communication and confirms that quantum information can be distributed on a large scale with little loss.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 24, 2020

A new twist on quantum communication in fiber

A team from Wits and HUST shows that multiple quantum patterns of twisted light can be transmitted across a conventional fibre link, enabling a new approach to realising a future quantum network. The researchers demonstrated transfer of multi-dimensional entanglement states over 250m of single-mode fibre.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 24, 2020

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
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.

Randomness opens the gates to the land of attophotography

Scientists have developed a new method to record extremely fast processes using X-ray lasers. By harnessing the random nature of these pulses, they can now create images with precisely controlled parameters. This breakthrough enables the study of non-linear effects and chemical reactions.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 9, 2020

NIST study suggests universal method for measuring light power

The NIST study suggests a new definition for the optical watt based on radiation force and speed, offering a more precise, less expensive and more portable method for measuring light power. The proposed approach also simplifies calculations of mass and force, making it simpler as a primary standard.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateDec 20, 2019

Counting photons is now routine enough to need standards

Researchers at NIST have developed methods to measure the efficiency of five single-photon detectors, which are used in various applications such as optical communications and astrophysics. The study provides a tool for verifying future detection standards and aims to improve accuracy and reliability in these devices.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMetrologia·DateDec 20, 2019

A new playbook for interference

Physicists at NIST have achieved a major new feat by creating a bizarre quantum interference between two photons of markedly different colors, originating from different buildings. This experiment is an important step towards future quantum communications and computing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 17, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Ultrafast stimulated emission microscopy of single nanocrystals in Science

Scientists at ICFO have created a new microscopy technique that allows them to study the dynamics of individual quantum dots without degrading the samples or relying on fluorescent labels. By using laser pulses to promote QDs into excited states, they can image and track the evolution of charged particles within the nanoscale.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience·DateDec 9, 2019

Researchers discover new way to split and sum photons with silicon

Scientists have found a way to pair silicon with organic molecules to transfer energy between them, improving efficiency in converting light into electricity. This breakthrough has implications for information storage, solar energy conversion and medical imaging applications.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Chemistry·DateDec 2, 2019
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.

2D materials boost carrier multiplication

Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science discovered a carrier multiplication process in 2D semiconductors that could improve the efficiency of solar cells. The phenomenon is more efficient in 2D materials than in bulk semiconductors and has the potential to increase the maximum power conversion efficiency up to 46%

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 2, 2019

Ternary acceptor and donor materials increase photon harvesting in organic solar cells

Researchers have developed ternary organic solar cells with non-fullerene electron acceptors or polymer donors, improving spectral response and photon-harvesting capabilities. The addition of these third components enhances energy and charge transfer, leading to increased efficiency and potentially semi-transparent solar cells.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateNov 26, 2019

Researchers discover highest-energy light from a gamma-ray burst

An international team of researchers has identified a previously unseen component of gamma-ray bursts, emitting trillions of times more energetic photons than visible light. The discovery supports the possibility that inverse Compton emission is commonly produced in gamma-ray bursts.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNature·DateNov 20, 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.

Hot electrons harvested without tricks

Scientists have found a way to harness excess energy from photons that are too energetic for materials to absorb, potentially increasing the efficiency of solar panels. By combining a perovskite with an acceptor material, hot electrons can be readily absorbed, even without slowing down their loss of energy.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 15, 2019

A one-way street for light

Researchers have successfully created a new one-way street for light by cooling photons to a Bose-Einstein condensate. This process causes the light to collect in optical valleys from which it can no longer return, effectively irreversibly dividing the light beam. The findings could be of interest for future quantum communication.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScience·DateNov 14, 2019

Massive photons in an artificial magnetic field

Researchers create two-dimensional system to trap photons, which behave like massive quasiparticles with a magnetic moment. This discovery could lead to new optoelectronic devices and unique quantum states of matter.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalScience·DateNov 12, 2019
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New research finding gives valleytronics a boost

A UC Riverside-led research team has discovered a new quantum process in valleytronics that can speed up the development of this emerging technology. The breakthrough, which uses local energy minima in semiconductors, enables the creation of information processing schemes superior to current charge-based technologies.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Research·DateOct 28, 2019
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.

Extracting hidden quantum information from a light source

Scientists have created a new method to isolate quantum images from classical illumination, enabling ultra-sensitive microscopy and potential applications in quantum communications. By leveraging image distillation, they can retrieve 'quantum illuminated' images even with high classical illumination.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 24, 2019

A cavity leads to a strong interaction between light and matter

Researchers have successfully created an efficient quantum-mechanical light-matter interface using a microscopic cavity, enabling interactions between individual photons and artificial atoms. The experiment demonstrates the potential for new quantum technological applications in photonics and quantum information processing.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature·DateOct 21, 2019

Scientists discover method to create and trap trions at room temperature

Researchers have developed a method to synthesize and trap trions that remain stable at room temperature, enabling manipulation and study of their fundamental properties. The work has implications for technologies such as bioimaging, chemical sensing, energy harvesting, solid-state computing and quantum computing.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalACS Central Science·DateOct 16, 2019

Solving the mystery of quantum light in thin layers

Scientists at TU Wien discover that atomic defects and mechanical strain interact to produce single photons, enabling experiments in quantum information and cryptography. This phenomenon was previously unknown and has opened up new possibilities for materials science.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 15, 2019

Quantum physics: Ménage à trois photon-style

Scientists at UNIGE have entangled three pairs of photons to create a highly-correlated triangle, exhibiting strong quantum correlations. This discovery could lead to the development of new ultra-secure encryption keys and revive fundamental quantum physics research.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 15, 2019
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.

Shaping nanoparticles for improved quantum information technology

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a key property of donut-like nanoparticles called semiconductor quantum rings, which may find application in quantum information storage, communication, and computing. The team achieved coherent directional control over light emission by breaking the symmetry of the ring shape.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2019

Watching energy transport through biomimetic nanotubes

The researchers developed a microfluidic platform to study an artificial light-harvesting complex inspired by photosynthetic bacteria. They found that at low light intensities, the system absorbs photons efficiently, while high intensities trigger the release of excess energy as a safety valve.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 10, 2019

Scientists observe a single quantum vibration under ordinary conditions

Researchers create and observe a single phonon in diamond at room temperature, bringing quantum behavior closer to everyday life. This breakthrough technique can now be used to probe other materials for quantum vibrations, potentially leading to advancements in solar cells and quantum computing.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review X·DateOct 8, 2019

Next-generation single-photon source for quantum information science

University of Illinois researchers Kwiat and Kaneda have built a single-photon source that produces 30 photons at unprecedented efficiencies. By using time multiplexing, they reduced the loss rate to 1.2 percent per cycle, guaranteeing at least one photon pair production per run.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 4, 2019

A metronome for quantum particles

Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new measurement protocol that enables direct measurement of the quantum phase of electrons. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of important phenomena in photosensors and photovoltaics.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 1, 2019
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.

Beyond Einstein: Mystery surrounding photon momentum solved

Researchers at Goethe University use new super COLTRIMS apparatus to measure minuscule effect on photon momentum. They find electrons receive unexpected additional momentum from magnetic fields, altering tunneling in strong-field ionization.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 1, 2019

Light in a new light

A team of LSU researchers has successfully demonstrated a method to generate groups of photons with manipulable quantum properties, known as multiphoton states. By subtracting out some photons, they can reshape the form of the wavepacket and artificially increase the number of photons in it.

SourceLouisiana State University·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateSep 27, 2019

NASA visualization shows a black hole's warped world

A new NASA visualization reveals how a black hole distorts space, creating a warped view of its surroundings like a carnival mirror. The extreme gravity bends light from the accretion disk, producing a misshapen appearance.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 25, 2019

Converting absorbed photons into twice as many excitons: Successful high-efficiency energy conversion with organic monolayer on gold nanocluster surface

A research group converts absorbed photons into twice as many excitons with an organic monolayer on a gold nanocluster surface, achieving high-efficiency energy conversion. The researchers also found that the newly formed excitons have a significantly longer lifetime compared to conventional surfaces.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateSep 24, 2019

Illinois researchers create first three-photon color-entangled W state

Researchers at the University of Illinois created a unique quantum-mechanical state, a three-photon color-entangled W state, which retains entanglement even with one photon lost. This state enables novel quantum applications and tests fundamental physics.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 23, 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.

Scientists couple magnetization to superconductivity for quantum discoveries

Argonne scientists develop a new approach to couple magnetization to superconductivity, paving the way for quantum information systems. This breakthrough enables precise manipulation of quantum information through the creation of an 'echo chamber' for energy and quantum information.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 6, 2019

Exotic physics phenomenon is observed for first time

Researchers have directly observed the non-Abelian Aharonov-Bohm Effect, a predicted exotic phenomenon involving optical waves and synthetic magnetic fields. The finding may offer a step toward fault-tolerant quantum computers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateSep 5, 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.

Entanglement sent over 50 km of optical fiber

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have successfully transferred quantum entanglement between matter and light over 50 kilometers using fiber optic cables. This achievement paves the way for building inter-city quantum networks, which could enable secure communication and distributed sensor networks.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·Journalnpj Quantum Information·DateAug 29, 2019

Detraction-free light-matter interaction

Quantum dots have been successfully modified to produce interference-free photons, paving the way for quantum communication. Researchers eliminated interferences by adding an aluminium arsenide layer grown above the quantum dots in the wetting layer.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·DateAug 23, 2019

Cracking a decades-old test, researchers bolster case for quantum mechanics

Researchers have demonstrated a loophole-free Bell test with the measurement settings determined by remote cosmic photons, verifying the completeness of quantum mechanics with high-confidence probability. The experiment closed loopholes that had long confounded tests of quantum mechanics, providing new evidence of quantum interactions.

SourceOptica·DateAug 22, 2019

Temperatures of 800 billion degrees in the cosmic kitchen

The HADES experiment simulates electromagnetic radiation from colliding neutron stars, revealing temperatures of 800 billion degrees Celsius. The research provides insight into the cosmic kitchen for heavy nuclei fusion.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Physics·DateAug 22, 2019
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.

Spinning lightwaves on a one-way street

Researchers at Purdue University have successfully created a quantum spin wave for light that only flows in one direction. This breakthrough has significant implications for future nanotechnologies, enabling information to be transmitted securely and efficiently.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalNanophotonics·DateAug 19, 2019

DOE gives 'green light' to upgrade Argonne's advanced photon source

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the next phase of the $815M upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source, a premier national research facility that will enable scientists to see things at a scale they have never seen before with storage-ring X-rays. The upgrade positions the APS to be a global leader among the new generation of sto...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·DateJul 29, 2019

Stanford physicists count sound particles with quantum microphone

Researchers create device that exploits quantum principles to detect phonons, enabling precise measurement of individual sound particles and paving the way for new types of quantum devices. This breakthrough could lead to more compact and efficient quantum computers that operate by manipulating sound rather than light.

SourceStanford University - School of Humanities and Sciences·JournalNature·DateJul 26, 2019