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Light in a spin

Researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand have demonstrated the first observation of angular acceleration in laser light, which can be controlled with a single parameter. This breakthrough could lead to new applications using structured light fields.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPhysical Review A·DateApr 15, 2015

Fundamentals of physics confirmed

Researchers at Technische Universität Darmstadt confirm time dilation and observe spectral lines in highly charged bismuth ions, achieving unprecedented precision. The experiments test the limits of Einstein's theories under extreme conditions, providing new insights into quantum electrodynamics.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 7, 2014

Rush a light wave and you'll break its data, say NIST scientists

Researchers from NIST and University of Maryland's Joint Quantum Institute found that speeding up part of a light beam past the speed of light results in lost quantum data. The team explored what this means for quantum information transfer in quantum computers, suggesting that quantum noise and distortion set an information speed limit.

Researchers slow light to a crawl in liquid crystal matrix

Scientists have developed a new technique to slow down light by embedding dye molecules in a liquid crystal matrix, allowing for more efficient sensing and interferometry applications. The method uses little power, operates at room temperature, and can measure extremely low speeds in just one second of measurement time.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 13, 2013

Through hardship to the stars

Delegates explored ways to overcome propulsion limitations, including suspended animation and negative mass concepts. Theoretical models offer tantalizing options, but significant hurdles remain before interstellar travel becomes a reality.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalPhysics World·DateJan 4, 2012

Counting atoms with glass fiber

Scientists at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new method to detect single atoms using ultra-thin glass fibers, allowing for precise measurement of tiny amounts of substances. The technique enables the control of quantum states without destroying them.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2011

Chalmers scientists create light from vacuum

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have succeeded in creating light from vacuum by capturing photons that appear and disappear in the vacuum. The experiment confirms a fundamental principle in quantum mechanics, demonstrating the existence of virtual particles that can become real photons.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalNature·DateNov 18, 2011

Bending light with better precision

Researchers have created a technique to control the speed and direction of light using memory metamaterials, which can repeatedly change their properties. This innovation enables the manufacture of Gradient Index of Refraction (GRIN) devices for imaging and communication technologies with unprecedented precision.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 15, 2011

RXTE homes in on a black hole's jets

Astronomers using NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellite have confirmed that most of the X-rays in a binary system come from the dual, oppositely directed jets around a black hole. The study provides new insights into the complex behavior of these systems and their extreme environments.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJul 1, 2010

Flipping a photonic shock wave

A team of physicists has directly observed a reverse shock wave of light in a specially tailored structure known as a left-handed metamaterial. This is the first unambiguous experimental demonstration of reversed Cerenkov radiation, a phenomenon predicted over forty years ago.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 2, 2009

Light at the speed of a bicycle and much more

Advances in optics and photonics are transforming our daily lives with innovations like optical fibers, lasers, and medical imaging techniques. Researchers are now exploring the potential of plasmonics to develop metamaterial-based invisibility cloaks and super-strength solar cells.

Using invisibility to increase visibility

Researchers have created a material that can reflect light from all angles, overcoming optical singularities. This breakthrough could lead to the development of perfect cat's eyes and invisibility devices. The discovery is based on transformation optics and has potential applications in wireless technology and radar.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateNov 27, 2008

Princeton scientists spy an electron dance

Researchers from Princeton University have discovered that electrons in bismuth display a highly unusual pattern of behavior under a powerful magnetic field at ultra-low temperatures. This phenomenon, known as a collective state, is a manifestation of quantum mechanics and could lead to new paradigms in computing and electronics.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalScience·DateJul 25, 2008

E=mc2passes tough MIT test

MIT physicists and NIST colleagues report the most precise direct test yet of Einstein's E=mc^2, verifying the formula's accuracy with an unprecedented precision. The team's findings validate the equivalence of energy and mass, strengthening the theory's position in modern physics.

Seeing Movement In The Dark

Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that moving objects appear slower through rod photoreceptors than cone photoreceptors, especially under low light conditions. This underestimation can lead to compensatory speeding-up, which may be fatal.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 1999