Metasurfaces are a new class of optical components that can potentially revolutionize the field of imaging. They are essentially thin layers of nanostructures that can manipulate light in various ways. In this article, researchers discuss how metasurfaces can be used for infrared edge detection. Edge detection is a fundamental task in image processing to identify [..]

Researchers discuss a new method for making surface acoustic wave (SAW) microfluidic devices using aerosol jet printing. SAW microfluidic devices are used in lab-on-a-chip applications for tasks such as manipulating fluids and particles. Traditionally, these devices have been made using photolithography, a slow and expensive process. Aerosol jet printing is a much faster and easier [..]

A recent breakthrough can potentially revolutionize the way photonic integrated circuits are produced. A new laser printer has been developed that could make it possible to create these circuits more cheaply and easily. This could benefit many people, from students and researchers to industry professionals. The new printer writes circuits into a thin film with [..]

For decades, positron emission tomography (PET) has been a mainstay in brain imaging, offering unparalleled insights into brain function and metabolism. However, conventional PET is limited to imaging a single biomarker at a time, which can be restrictive in understanding the complex interplay of multiple biological processes in the brain. Now, a groundbreaking new PET [..]

Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing glass using light instead of high temperatures. The new technique, which uses deep ultraviolet (DUV) light, is faster and more energy-efficient than traditional methods. The resulting glass microstructures are transparent and have a smooth surface, making them suitable for various applications in optics, microfluidics, and medical [..]

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in developing broadband photodetectors by successfully doping molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) with vanadium (V). This innovative technique paves the way for next-generation optoelectronic devices with enhanced light sensitivity across a wider range of wavelengths. The ability to manipulate the properties of materials through doping is crucial in tailoring them for [..]

The quest for building robust and scalable quantum networks has taken a major leap forward with developing novel nanometric optomechanical cavities. These cutting-edge resonators, mere billionths of a meter in size, hold immense promise for revolutionizing quantum communication and computation. These cavities synergistically couple light and mechanical vibrations. This exquisite interplay enables the seamless transfer [..]

Forget about the heavy metals and toxic elements often found in traditional quantum dots. Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery: a new type of quantum dot that’s not only safe but also compatible with CMOS technology, the workhorse of modern electronics. This opens up a dazzling array of possibilities for the future of photonics, from [..]

Researchers developed an optical sensor for monitoring concentration in liquid solutions, specifically in the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), an International Space Station toilet. The optical concentration sensor is light-based and can be used in various sectors. Typical concentration sensors, such as the one employed in the UWMS at first, rely on changes in electrical [..]

A team of scientists has developed a non-invasive handheld biosensor device for detecting biomarkers for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The results of this biosensor can also be wirelessly transmitted to a laptop or smartphone. The device passed in vitro testing on patient samples, displaying accuracy similar to the most advanced current procedures. Next, this biosensor [..]

By improving digital eye care and eliminating clinical workflow bottlenecks, generative AI and large language models are changing ophthalmology. ChatGPT, a chatbot based on large language models (LLMs) and GPT-3.5 families, has been acclaimed for its capacity to hold human-like conversations and deliver complex answers to various issues. LLM technology has several medical applications, including [..]

Because Helicobacter pylori infection is a considerable risk factor for stomach cancer, regular screening is essential. Endoscopic advancements have helped the removal of big neoplasms; however, finding faint epithelial neoplasms remains difficult. A study found that using LM-NBI (Narrow-Band Imaging At Low Magnification) for comprehensive stomach observation after routine white-light imaging (WLI) was effective, especially [..]

Touchless fingerprint biometrics is a revolutionary innovation that has transformed identity security and made biometric verification more inclusive and accessible. Traditionally, fingerprint scanning was limited to specialized, touch-based hardware, but this method posed challenges such as hygiene risks, bulky hardware requirements, and accessibility limitations. The recent shift to touchless fingerprint biometrics addresses these challenges by [..]

Augmented reality (AR) has become pervasive, blending virtual content with real-world scenes. Waveguide-based AR displays have emerged as a critical technology for wearable AR systems, enabling lightweight, slim form factors and high optical performance. Waveguide combiners, which function as light guides, fold the optical path and replicate luminosity from a small light source across an [..]

Microwave photonics (MWP) has unlocked a new paradigm for Radio Frequency (RF) signal processing using photonic components’ inherent wideband and adjustable nature. Despite numerous efforts to implement integrated MWP filters, a key RF processing functionality, achieving a fully integrated photonic circuit that can merge the megahertz-level spectral resolution required for RF applications with key electro-optic [..]

 Lasers are becoming more sophisticated and are being used in an increasing number of medicinal applications. One of the most difficult aspects of employing lasers in surgery is assuring their safety and precision. A team of researchers has created a new device that combines three lasers to cut bone, adjust the cutting depth, and differentiate [..]

Optoelectronics, which detect or emit light, traditionally rely on thin transistors from graphene and other two-dimensional materials. However, these materials often struggle with band gap opening, leading researchers to explore the Lewis acid treatment method to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices. With its unique physical properties and long-term stability in ambient air, Palladium diselenide [..]

In laser-based manufacturing, a team of researchers has discovered a rapid way to track a surface’s precise location and adjust the focus of an optical system. They employed axial varifocal optics, specifically a TAG lens, which operates at 0.1-1 MHz, avoiding mechanical motion delays in the beam propagation direction. The researchers used dynamic z-scanning for [..]

Researchers have developed a new transmitter using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, i.e., CMOS chip technology and silicon photonics, which achieved remarkable data transmission rates while consuming minimal energy. Integrating silicon photonics with electronics is essential for producing practical systems for numerous applications. The combination of the optical modulator and its electronic drive amplifier is a key electronic-photonic [..]

Multiphoton excitation (MPE) microscopy has evolved significantly over the past 30 years, becoming a powerful imaging method in various life sciences. Modern techniques include fluorescence microscopy, Raman scattering, and harmonic generation. MPE is used in neuroscience, pharmaceutical development, and preclinical research. The ultrafast laser is the critical component underpinning all MPE microscopy methods. Ultrafast laser [..]