Scientists have demonstrated a new method for fabricating compact, low-loss optical waveguides in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab. A femtosecond writing laser initiates two-photon absorption in light-reactive monomers embedded in PDMS. Without potentially toxic photoinitiator compounds, two-photon absorption generates enough energy in the monomer molecules to initiate a chain polymerization reaction. The resulting polymerized waveguides have [..]

If atom-flat 2D material sensors could be seamlessly integrated onto surfaces with different geometries where detection for the near-field signal is desired, they could be used to monitor performance without adding weight or hindering signal flow. Although 2D materials are often praised for their strength, moving them without damaging them is difficult. According to researchers, [..]

Physicists are investigating a laser-based approach to illuminate the most subtle aspects of mosquito activity and better track populations that may carry a viral threat. A study used light detection and ranging (lidar), an infrared optical remote-sensing technology capable of capturing the rate at which mosquitos beat their wings in flight, known as wing beat [..]

A group of scientists has greatly devised a method to simplify and improve optical tweezer use. In the late 1980s, the optical tweezer discovery was made. They are light beam fingers that can grasp particles, atoms, molecules, and even bacteria and other living cells. The method uses an optical laser that can hold onto a [..]

According to new research, light-induced phase changes behave differently than temperature-induced phase changes. While optically induced phase changes had previously been observed, the mechanism by which they occurred was unknown. More understanding of the process could lead to new optoelectronic devices, such as data storage devices. The researchers used an electron density modulation frozen within [..]