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Light switches made of ultra-thin semiconductor layers

A nanostructure composed of silver and an atomically thin semiconductor layer can be turned into an ultrafast switching mirror device, displaying properties of both light and matter. This discovery could lead to dramatically increased information transmission rates in optical data processing.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 21, 2026

Major step for flat and adjustable optics

Scientists at Linköping University have made a significant breakthrough in creating controllable flat optics using nanostructures on a flat surface. By precisely controlling the distance between antennas, they achieved up to tenfold improvement in performance, opening up new avenues for applications such as video holograms and biomedic...

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 21, 2025
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Turning up the signal

Osaka University researchers develop a new method for long-range enhancement of fluorescence and Raman signals using Ag nanoislands protected with column-structured silica layers. This leads to an astonishing ten-million-fold increase in signal strength, making it ideal for sensitive biosensing applications.

SourceOsaka University·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2024
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.

Multiparticle nanostructures for building better quantum technologies

The LSU Quantum Photonics Group has made significant advancements in quantum plasmonics by isolating multiparticle subsystems and revealing new behaviors for surface plasmons. This research holds promise for developing more sensitive and robust quantum technologies, including sensors with heightened precision.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2024

Researchers finds a way to reduce the overheating of semiconductor devices

Researchers discovered a way to dissipate heat near hot spots in semiconductors by utilizing surface plasmon polaritons. The new method increased thermal conductivity by 25% and has implications for high-performance semiconductor device development.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 1, 2023

Chiral sources for metamaterial interface waveguides

A new broadband near-field chiral source enables comparison of different edge states to advance applications in integrated photonics and wireless devices. The research advances the field of chiral photonics science, promoting applications of chiral-sorting technology for microwave metadevices.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateJul 19, 2022
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.

Harnessing the powers of light to operate computers

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have created a nanocavity in a waveguide that selectively modifies short light pulses, enabling the development of ultrafast optical pulse shaping. This breakthrough may lead to the creation of new all-optical computers that operate based on light.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalNanophotonics·DateApr 28, 2022

Precision machining produces tiny, light-guiding cubes for advancing info tech

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory created tiny electrically conductive cubes that interact with light and organize them in patterned structures to confine and relay electromagnetic signals. The cubes support collective waves of electrons, called plasmons, with the same frequency as light waves but with much tighter confinement.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2022

New epoch of miniaturized Cherenkov detectors

Researchers discovered a new type of free-electron radiations, namely surface Dyakonov-Cherenkov radiation, which enhances photon emission and reduces interaction length in miniaturized Cherenkov detectors. The technology offers improved accuracy for detecting particle trajectories.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournaleLight·DateJan 4, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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Plasmonic tweezers: For nanoscale optical trapping and beyond

Plasmonic tweezers facilitate trapping of micro- and nanostructures using hotspots smaller than the free-space wavelength, providing higher precision. The technique has expanded applications in fields such as biology, chemistry, and physics.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight Science & Applications·DateMar 18, 2021

Stretchable variable color sheet that changes color with expansion and contraction

Researchers have created a variable color sheet using elastomer nanosheets that change color in response to strain, achieving reversible wavelength control of transmitted light. The developed sheets utilize surface plasmon to produce extraordinary optical transmission and can be used for flexible displays and sensors.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJun 2, 2020
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Research demonstrates method to alter coherence of light

Brown University researchers have developed a method to manipulate the spatial coherence of light, transforming it from incoherent to coherent and vice versa. By controlling surface plasmon polaritons, they achieved strong modulation across a range of 0-80% coherence, breaking previous barriers.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 18, 2017

A multi-channel nano-optical device dramatically increases the parallel processing speed

Researchers have created a multi-channel nano-optical device that dramatically increases the parallel processing speed, allowing for faster data transfer between microprocessors. The device uses disordered arrangement of nano antennas to minimize redundancy and enable independent operation, resulting in a 40-fold increase in bandwidth.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 16, 2017

Squeezing light into new miniature devices

Researchers have developed three key components for optical communication that work with light, enabling high-performance computers and miniaturized volumes. The innovations utilize surface plasmons to control the propagation of light in matter.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2016
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Filming light and electrons coupled together as they travel under cover

Researchers have developed an ultrafast technique to film the propagation of guided light and read its spatial profile across a multilayered structure. This breakthrough enables the design and control of confined plasmonic fields, crucial for future optoelectronic devices.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 11, 2016

A nanoscale wireless communication system via plasmonic antennas

Researchers at Boston College have developed a nanoscale wireless communication system that operates at visible wavelengths using surface plasmons with unprecedented control. The device achieves in-plane configuration and enables high-speed communication, potentially speeding up transmission by up to 60%.

SourceBoston College·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 25, 2016

New way to control particle motions on 2-D materials

Researchers have discovered a new way to manipulate plasmons on graphene and TMDs using circularly polarized light, enabling separation of particle streams without magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to novel electro-optical devices and applications in chip-scale optical isolation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMar 21, 2016
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.

Pioneering research boosts graphene revolution

Researchers have developed a new technique to trap light at the surface of graphene using laser pulses, enabling the steered light to be directed across the material's surface. This breakthrough has significant implications for advances in electronic products, such as sensors and miniaturized integrated circuits.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Physics·DateNov 16, 2015

MIPT researchers clear the way for fast plasmonic chips

MIPT researchers have developed a new method to eliminate energy losses of surface plasmons in optical devices, paving the way for high-performance optoelectronic chips. By pumping extra energy into surface plasmon polaritons, they can compensate for propagation losses and increase integration density.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateAug 3, 2015

Surfing a wake of light

Researchers have created and controlled surface plasmon wakes of light-like waves on a metallic surface, demonstrating a new technology with potential applications in nanotechnology and optics. The discovery uses a faster-than-light running wave of charge along a metamaterial to create and steer the wakes.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 6, 2015
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.

Quantum photon properties revealed in another particle -- the plasmon

Researchers at Caltech discovered that surface plasmons exhibit quantum interference, similar to photons. This finding has potential implications for quantum computing and the development of new materials. The study validated theoretical predictions and demonstrated the coherence of plasmon waves.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateApr 3, 2014

Needle beam could eliminate signal loss in on-chip optics

A new type of light beam, called a needle beam, has been created by Harvard researchers. This non-diffracting beam can travel long distances without spreading outwards, which could greatly reduce signal loss in on-chip optical systems.

SourceHarvard University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 7, 2012

New tool may yield smaller, faster optoelectronics

Researchers have developed a new technique to manipulate surface plasmons in real time, enabling the creation of ultra-small-scale optoelectronic devices and systems. This innovation allows for on-the-fly control and flexibility in nano-system design and manufacture.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateAug 11, 2011

Frontiers of plasmonics

Researchers have made significant progress in plasmonics, a field that overcomes diffraction limitations to fabricate nano-scale optical components. These advancements enable the development of integrated nanophotonic circuits with substantial improvements in bandwidth and speed for next-generation information technologies.

SourceScience China Press·JournalChinese Science Bulletin·DateAug 4, 2010
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.

World's smallest semiconductor laser heralds new era in optical science

Researchers at UC Berkeley have created the world's smallest semiconductor laser, generating visible light in a space smaller than a single protein molecule. The breakthrough enables innovations like nanolasers for DNA manipulation, faster telecommunications, and optical computing.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2009

On a wire or in a fiber, a wave is a wave

Surface plasmon polaritons move as waves and follow conventional optics' rules, limiting their size. Researchers developed a comprehensive theory to control SPPs, providing a bridge between nanoscale electronics and photonics.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 13, 2007
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.

New phenomenon in physics discovered on illumination of metal surfaces

Researchers have discovered a new physical phenomenon called acoustic plasmon, which can be triggered into an excited state with very low energy input. This discovery could have significant implications for the design of ultra-high velocity electronic devices and materials for medical applications.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalNature·DateJul 11, 2007

UNH researchers prove existence of new type of electron wave

Researchers at UNH have successfully proven the existence of a new type of electron wave on metal surfaces called acoustic surface plasmons. This discovery has significant implications for various fields including nano-optics, high-temperature superconductors, and chemical reactions on surfaces.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalNature·DateJul 4, 2007

Pitt researchers see electron waves in motion for first time

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new microscopy technique that allows them to observe electrons moving through a nanostructured silver film. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient semiconductors and reduce heat dissipation, making electronic devices faster and more powerful.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 9, 2005

'Light on a chip' potential seen by scientists spoofing natural phenomenon

Researchers at Imperial College London have discovered a way to channel and focus light beams on a chip using artificial materials with tiny grooves and holes. This breakthrough could revolutionize the design of the first optical computers, which struggle to overcome constraints due to the need for efficient wire replacement.

SourceImperial College London·JournalScience·DateJul 8, 2004