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Experimental evidence shows how photons spread across multiple paths in an interferometer

Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a new experimental method to demonstrate the physical delocalization of individual photons in an interferometer. The study challenges traditional interpretations of quantum mechanics and has significant implications for high-tech sensors and our understanding of reality.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalNew Journal of Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2026

Close-up images show how stars explode

Researchers used the CHARA Array to image two stellar explosions, Nova V1674 Herculis and Nova V1405 Cassiopeiae, providing direct evidence of multiple outflows and delayed expulsion. The images reveal unprecedented complexity in novae, with dramatic delays in ejection process.

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeObservational study·DateDec 5, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Laser trial run kickstarts new era of interferometry

Astronomers have successfully installed lasers on the eight-metre telescopes at Paranal, enabling the creation of an artificial star to correct atmospheric blur. This upgrade unlocks a greater observing power and wider sky coverage for the VLTI, allowing for deeper observations of faint targets.

SourceESO·DateNov 10, 2025

AI finds new ways to observe the most extreme events in the universe

Researchers at Max Planck Institute use AI to design novel interferometric gravitational wave detectors, discovering dozens of top-performing designs that surpass known human solutions. These findings have the potential to improve detectable signal range by over an order of magnitude.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2025

A multimodal light manipulator

Researchers at Harvard created a new type of interferometer that can modulate aspects of light in one compact package, enabling precise control over light's frequency and intensity. This breakthrough has the potential to be used in advanced nanophotonic sensors or on-chip quantum computing.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

New technology enhances gravitational-wave detection

A new optical technology developed at UC Riverside enables gravitational-wave detectors to reach extreme laser powers, overcoming limitations that hinder the detection of cosmic phenomena. This breakthrough is expected to significantly expand our view of the universe, particularly in the earliest stages of its history.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 14, 2025
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.

Large-aperture differential confocal interferometric optical element measurement method

A team of scientists has proposed a high-precision measurement method for large-aperture optical elements, overcoming limitations of existing techniques. The new method uses laser differential confocal and interferometric techniques to measure multiple parameters with nanometer precision.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateSep 23, 2024

The mother of all motion sensors

Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have successfully miniaturized a motion sensor using silicon photonic microchip components, achieving unprecedented accuracy and reducing size by a thousand times. This breakthrough enables precise navigation even in GPS-denied areas, posing significant national security risks.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 13, 2024

A ‘measure’ advance for ultrashort laser light!

The TIFR team developed a method to measure the temporal shape of ultrashort laser pulses using spectral interferometry, enabling precise measurement of pulse profiles at different points across the beam. This breakthrough is essential for handling increasingly powerful lasers that emit pulses and can distort optical components.

SourceTata Institute of Fundamental Research·JournalOptica·DateAug 5, 2024

Stacked up against the rest

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to reduce optical interference and measure the quantum coherence time of moiré excitons, which are electron-hole pairs confined in moiré interference fringes. This breakthrough enables the realization of quantum functionality in next-generation nano-semiconductors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2024
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.

Researchers develop general framework for designing quantum sensors

A protocol has been designed to harness the power of quantum sensors, allowing for fine-tuning of quantum systems to sense signals of interest. The framework uses a combination of qubits and bosonic oscillators to create sensors that are vastly more sensitive than traditional sensors.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalQuantum·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 30, 2024

Can quantum particles mimic gravitational waves?

Scientists have developed a method to simulate gravitational waves in the lab using cold atoms, a phenomenon similar to gravitational waves. This breakthrough allows for easier study and understanding of these cosmic waves, which are challenging to detect.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 29, 2024

The geometry of life: Physicists determine what controls biofilm growth

Researchers used interferometry to study biofilm growth and found that the contact angle with the substrate plays a key role in determining fitness. The team discovered that the shape of the biofilm's edge, which resembles a spherical cap, is influenced by this geometry.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Physics·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 9, 2024

Neutrons on classically inexplicable paths

Researchers used neutron beams to test the Leggett-Garg inequality, a formula that challenges macroscopic realism. The results show that classical explanations are not possible, confirming quantum theory's strange properties.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 2, 2024
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.

Precision instrument bolsters efforts to find elusive dark energy

Researchers have built the most precise experiment yet to look for gravitational anomalies caused by dark energy, using a lattice atom interferometer that can hold atoms in place for up to 70 seconds. While no deviation from predicted theory was found, the improved precision opens up possibilities for probing gravity at the quantum level.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2024

Quantum entanglement measures Earth rotation

Researchers at the University of Vienna have successfully measured Earth's rotation using quantum entanglement, achieving a thousand-fold precision improvement. By exploiting the unique properties of entangled photons, they were able to detect the rotation signal with remarkable stability and accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 14, 2024

Quantum photonic technologies set to be more reliable with new interferometer.

Researchers have developed a new device that can determine photon pair properties in a single shot, improving precision and accuracy in quantum technologies. The metasurface-enabled multiport interferometer reduces size, weight, and power while increasing reliability.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2024

Images hidden in noise revealed by a quantum-inspired method

Researchers developed a novel phase imaging technique using intensity correlation measurements that is immune to phase instability. This method can capture high-resolution images of transparent and optically thin samples, such as cell cultures, with improved accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Warsaw, Faculty of Physics·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 2023
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.

Illuminating new horizons: Navigating nonlinear scattering with precision

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a new scattering matrix method that can sculpt light output with minimal optimization time. The method offers unparalleled nonlinear scattered light control, enabling high-resolution scanning microscopy and particle trapping through dense, scattering media.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 31, 2023

New technique measures structured light in a single shot

Researchers have developed a new measurement technique that uses the Kramers-Kronig relation to untangle complex helical light patterns from camera intensity measurements. This allows for single-shot retrieval of orbital angular momentum spectrum information, accelerating and simplifying the process compared to conventional on-axis int...

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateAug 8, 2023

A sharper look at the M87 black hole

A machine learning technique called PRIMO has been used to reconstruct a sharper image of the M87 black hole using Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) data. The new image reveals more detailed information about the bright accreting gas and a larger, darker central region.

SourceInstitute for Advanced Study·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateApr 13, 2023

The search for the missing gravitational signal

Researchers propose using a constellation of space interferometers to map the flat and almost perfectly homogeneous background signal, detecting subtle fluctuations known as anisotropies. These fluctuations hold information on the distribution of gravitational wave sources on the largest cosmological scale.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal·TypeCase study·DateMar 27, 2023
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.

Measuring times in billionths of a billionth of a second

Researchers use novel interferometric technique to measure time delay between H2 and D2 isotopes, finding phase shift of nearly 3 attoseconds caused by nuclear motion. The study uses high harmonic generation and advanced theoretical modeling to validate the method.

SourceUltrafast Science·JournalUltrafast Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Overcoming the optical resolution limit

Researchers from the University of Kassel developed an approach to extend the limits of interferometric topography measurements for optical resolution below small structures. Microsphere assistance enables fast and label-free imaging without requiring extensive sample preparation.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateNov 1, 2022
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.

At Sandia Labs, a vision for navigating when GPS goes dark

Researchers at Sandia Labs have successfully built a compact, rugged quantum inertial sensor that can guide vehicles without satellites. The device uses advanced materials and integrated photonic technologies to achieve high accuracy and miniaturization.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 24, 2022

How do you take a better image of atom clouds? Mirrors – lots of mirrors

A team of researchers uses mirrors to gather more light and views of an object from different angles, allowing them to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of an atom cloud. This technique enables 'light-field imaging', capturing not just intensity but also direction of light rays.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalJournal of Instrumentation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2022

A quantum wave in two crystals

A team of scientists has successfully created a neutron interferometer using two separate crystals, enabling new possibilities for quantum measurements. This breakthrough opens up the possibility of expanding the size of the system while maintaining precision.

SourceINRIM - Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica·JournalJournal of Applied Crystallography·DateJul 18, 2022

A quantum wave in two crystals

A team of scientists has successfully built a neutron interferometer using two separate crystals, a major breakthrough in quantum physics. This achievement opens up new possibilities for quantum measurements and research on quantum effects in a gravitational field.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Crystallography·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Free-space light coupling using curved micromirrors

The study compares the behavior of flat (1D), cylindrical (2D) and spherical (3D) micromirrors for free-space light coupling. Silicon micromirrors were fabricated and used to experimentally validate the coupling efficiency in visible and near infrared wavelengths.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateJul 11, 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.

A mirror tracks a tiny particle

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck developed a new technique to track levitated nanoparticles with improved precision. By using the reflected light of a mirror, they outperformed state-of-the-art detection methods and opened up new possibilities for nanoparticle-based sensing applications.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2022

How holographic interferometry could influence the future

Researchers have discovered a new application of holographic interferometry, enabling the measurement of real-time vibrations on reflective surfaces. This technique has significant implications for industries such as aviation, where it can help prevent engine failure and improve overall efficiency.

SourceLight Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CAS·JournalLight: Advanced Manufacturing·DateJun 17, 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.

Tiny infrared spectral filters for remote thermal sensing and imaging

New research develops a low-index BaF2 thin film-based microspectrometer technology for LWIR spectral sensing. The study demonstrates the use of flat and stress-free free-standing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-performance wavelength discrimination in the long-wave infrared region.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateMay 23, 2022

How scientists designed the space-based aperture-synthetic interferometer system?

The system uses multiple satellites to form an aperture-synthetic interferometer, meeting four key demands: high spatial resolution, contrast, sensitivity, and wide spectral range. Numerical simulations validate the method's efficiency, with reduced transfer times and stable orbit maintenance.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalSpace: Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2022

Miniaturized reflectors enlarge uses of remote infrared spectroscopy

Researchers have developed miniaturized reflectors that enlarge the uses of remote infrared spectroscopy, allowing for field-ready devices with minimal size, weight, and power requirements. The devices utilize Ge-BaF2 thin films for surface micromachined mid-wave and long-wave infrared reflectors.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Optical Microsystems·DateMar 23, 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.

THz–fingerprint vibrational spectroscopy at an ultrafast spectral rate

Researchers developed a new technique called dual-detection impulsive vibrational spectroscopy (DIVS) to measure two distinct types of vibrational signals. DIVS enables synchronous measurement of THz- and fingerprint region vibrations, offering high temporal resolution for real-time chemical analysis.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalAdvanced Photonics·DateMar 1, 2022

Sensor breakthrough announced in Nature paves way for groundbreaking map of world under Earth surface

Researchers from the University of Birmingham have successfully used a quantum gravity gradiometer to detect an object hidden below ground, marking a significant milestone in the development of this technology. The breakthrough could lead to faster, cheaper, and more comprehensive underground mapping, with potential applications in ind...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 23, 2022

Gravitational waves: LISA and the detection of new fundamental fields

Researchers suggest LISA can detect scalar fields interacting with gravity, providing strong bounds on theories beyond General Relativity. Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals offer a unique probe of the strong-field regime of gravity.

SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 10, 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.

Optical cavities could be key to next generation interferometers

Researchers propose a method using optical cavities to enhance atom interferometers, enabling extreme momentum transfer for detecting dark matter and gravitational waves. This could facilitate breakthroughs in fundamental physics and future applications.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2021
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.

Tiny chip provides a big boost in precision optics

Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a way to amplify interferometric signals without increasing extraneous input on an integrated photonic chip. This breakthrough enables high-precision measurements in various applications, including quantum gyroscopes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2021

High-spatial-resolution interferometry enters the multi-wavelength era

Researchers from USTC successfully measured two laser sources of different wavelengths using a chromatic intensity interferometer, surpassing the diffraction limit by about 40 times. This breakthrough expands applications to diverse fields like astronomy and space remote sensing.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 17, 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.

Atom interferometry demonstrated in space for the first time

A team of scientists has demonstrated atom interferometry on a sounding rocket, enabling precise measurements of gravity and potentially detecting gravitational waves. The success of this experiment marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum technologies.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 13, 2021

Seismic coda used to locate and define damage from explosions

Researchers used coda wave interferometry to determine the location of underground chemical explosions and characterize damage caused by an explosion. The technique can improve estimates of larger explosion locations and put a limit on damage extent.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalThe Seismic Record·DateApr 6, 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.

Attosecond interferometry in time-energy domain

Researchers developed an all-optical attosecond few slit interferometer to measure ultrafast processes in the time-energy domain. The technique uses laser-driven high order harmonics and introduces a perturbing field to alter harmonic generation, enabling wave-front controlled attosecond interferometry with precise energy resolution.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateNov 24, 2020

New approach to exotic quantum matter

Researchers have developed a new method to detect anyons in fractional quantum Hall systems by binding impurity particles to them. This approach doesn't require particle exchange or interferometry and can be applied to various quantum simulators.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 22, 2020

Astrophysics: A direct view of star/disk interactions

A team of astrophysicists observes newborn stars' magnetospheric accretion region for the first time, providing insight into star formation mechanisms. The study uses the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) and GRAVITY instrument to measure angular size and prove magnetospheric accretion taking place close to stellar surfaces.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·DateAug 31, 2020

A new path for electron optics in solid-state systems

A novel mechanism for electron optics in two-dimensional solid-state systems has been introduced, allowing for the control of electrons at the scale of micrometers and nanometers. This breakthrough enables the engineering of quantum-optical phenomena in a variety of materials.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalPhysical Review X·DateJul 14, 2020

Quantum fluctuations can jiggle objects on the human scale

Researchers at MIT's LIGO Laboratory measure quantum noise affecting 40-kilogram mirrors, displacing them by 10-20 meters, a confirmed prediction by quantum mechanics. The team uses a novel instrument called a quantum squeezer to isolate and quantify the quantum effect.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature·DateJul 1, 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.