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Magnon momentum microscopy: A new window into nanoscale spin-wave physics

Researchers developed a new method to observe nanoscale spin waves, directly detecting short-wavelength magnons using resonant soft X-rays. The technique, called magnon momentum microscopy (MMM), reveals strong nonlinear interactions and four-magnon scattering processes in magnetic materials.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2026

When order gives way to chaos: the turbulent birth of magnetic nanovortices

Scientists have directly imaged the effect of short current pulses on skyrmions, finding that they break up into disordered patterns before re-forming in a predictable manner. This discovery opens up new possibilities for computing concepts like probabilistic computing.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2026
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UH Professor warns of dangers of red-light laser myopia therapy for children

A University of Houston optometry researcher warns of the dangers of red-light laser myopia therapy for children, citing vision damage reports and the need for rigorous safety validation. The professor's quality improvement study found that two popular devices exceeded national standards for safety classifications.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJAMA Ophthalmology·DateMar 2, 2026

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

Observing nanoscale dynamics with soft X-rays

Researchers at the Max Born Institute developed a laboratory-scale soft-X-ray instrument to study ultrafast processes of emergent textures in magnetic materials. They observed nanoscale magnetic maze domains and discovered complex reorganization patterns on picosecond to nanosecond timescales.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 4, 2025

Characterization of few-cycle pulses tunable across the vacuum ultraviolet

Scientists at Max Born Institute develop technique to generate µJ-level tunable few-fs UV pulses in VUV range. They successfully characterized few-fs pulses tuned between 160 and 190 nm using electron FROG, revealing pulse duration of 2-3 fs.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 5, 2025

Watching bandgaps in motion - attosecond interferometry of solids

Using extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic interferometry, researchers tracked changes in the electronic bandgap of silica glass and magnesium oxide under strong laser excitation. The study found a shrinking bandgap in silica and a widening bandgap in magnesium oxide.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 9, 2025
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Quantum uncertainty tamed at the University of Arizona

The team developed a new method to produce ultrafast squeezed light, which can fluctuate between intensity and phase-squeezing by adjusting the position of fused silica relative to the split beam. This breakthrough could lead to more secure communication and advance fields like quantum sensing, chemistry, and biology.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2025

Catching aromaticity in the act: direct real-time tracking of how ‘excited-state aromaticity’ drives molecular shape changes

Researchers tracked ultrafast structural changes of a molecule driven by excited-state aromaticity, revealing its emergence within hundreds of femtoseconds and facilitating planarization. The study provides new insights for designing photoactive materials like sensors and light-driven switches.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025

Watching electron motion in solids

A German-Italian team has discovered a way to simplify the experimental implementation of two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy, allowing for real-time study of electron motion in solids. By adding an optical component to Cerullo's interferometer, researchers were able to control laser pulses more precisely, enabling the investigatio...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2025
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New 'chiral vortex' of light reveals molecular mirror images

A new structure of light has been discovered that can accurately measure chirality in molecules, a property of asymmetry important in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine. This 'chiral vortex' provides an accurate and robust form of measurement, allowing for the detection of chiral biomarkers.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalNature Photonics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 2, 2024

Single atoms show their true color

Physicists at Michigan State University have developed a new approach that combines high-resolution microscopy with ultrafast lasers to detect misfit atoms in semiconductors. The technique enables researchers to spot defects with unparalleled precision, which is critical for the performance of modern electronics.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalNature Photonics·DateJul 4, 2024
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Speeding up spectroscopic analysis

Scientists have developed a method to accelerate spectroscopic analysis, enabling real-time measurements. The technique utilizes compressed sensing and strategically randomized measurement points to reconstruct signals with fewer data points, overcoming the challenge of temporal overlap between pulses.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 29, 2024

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023
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Researchers take first step towards controlling photosynthesis using mirrors

A research team at Lund University has successfully used mirrors to enhance light interaction with antenna complexes in photosynthesis. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy transfer processes and eventually be used to produce fuel from carbon dioxide, a promising solution for the climate crisis.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 28, 2022

A dual boost for optical delay scanning

Researchers at ETH Zurich introduce a novel single-cavity architecture for a dual-comb laser, enabling fast and precise scanning of optical delays. The system achieves high precision (2-fs) and stability (up to 500 Hz) for an optical delay of 12.5 ns, opening up new possibilities for practical applications.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalOptica·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2022

Electrons in alcohol – concerted molecule and charge motions at terahertz frequencies

Researchers observed a novel type of excitation, called a polaron, where collective oscillations of the electron and its screening cloud arise at terahertz frequencies. These oscillations persist for tens of picoseconds and are impulsively triggered by ultrafast electron localization.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2022

Tracking chirality in real time

A new time-resolved instrument measures circular dichroism changes in fractions of a picosecond, enabling the capture of photoexcited molecules' chirality and conformational motion. This resolves the deactivation mechanism of iron-based spin-crossover complexes, crucial for magnetic data storage.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Chemistry·DateMay 26, 2022
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Cascading femtosecond lasers into the mid-infrared

Researchers at ETH Zurich demonstrate the first direct femtosecond-pulse emission from a quantum cascade laser in the mid-infrared region, generating powerful pulses as short as 630 femtoseconds and 4.5 watt peak power. This breakthrough opens up practical routes to accessing ultrafast dynamics across the molecular fingerprint region.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Photonics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2021

Ultrafast and coupled -- atomic vibrations in the quantum material boron nitride

Researchers discovered ultrafast coupled atomic vibrations in few-layer hexagonal boron nitride, resulting in a frequency down-shift of the optical phonons. The study also reveals a nonlinear optical effect that can be induced by moderate power light, holding potential for optoelectronic applications.

SourceMax Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI)·JournalPhysical Review B·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021