A new computational method dramatically increases the resolution of atomic force microscopy. Under standard physiological settings, the approach exposes atomic-level data on proteins and other biological structures. It gives up a new world of possibilities in cell biology, virology, and other microscopic processes. In physics, atomic force microscopy can efficiently resolve atoms on solid surfaces [..]

Scientists have developed a new spectroscopy technique that can spot glass imperfections. The method helps spot the subsurface structural changes of silica glass due to nanoscale wear and damage. Applications like electronic displays and vehicle windshields will benefit from this development. Surface defects are the main reason glass is less strong than steel. The researchers [..]

The convergence of nanophotonic resonators and scalable integrated photonics can benefit integrated microcomb-based systems. Optical frequency synthesis, optical atomic clocks, optical distance ranging, optical spectroscopy, microwave, radiofrequency photonics, astronomy, and telecommunications are all applications for these systems. These systems require integrated photonic interposers. Photonic interposers are required to realize the cost, size, weight, power, performance, [..]

Researchers have introduced the concept of metaform optics – integrating freeform optics and metasurfaces into a single optical component. This metaform architecture will benefit high-resolution optical systems with a compact form factor, such as augmented reality displays, sensors, and mobile cameras. The researchers experimentally realized a miniature imager using a metaform mirror. They used an [..]

Extremely complex instruments can observe the oscillations of light directly. However, indirect frequency measurement is possible with frequency combs. Optical frequency combs are light waves composed of a large number of spectral lines spaced at equal distances. Two methods for generating frequency combs are exciting dissipative solitons in lasers or passive resonators. Both these methods [..]

Medical imaging methods like Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission CT (SPECT) produce volumes of three‐dimensional (3D) images obtained from generating several slices in a single examination. This massive amount of medical data calls for new lossless compression methods for efficient storage and transmission. Researchers have developed [..]

Modern-day cell phone cameras advance in quality and low light sensitivity due to back-illuminated CMOS sensors and noise removal software pre-processing the captured images. These cameras’ outstanding quality and sensitivity can also act as sensitive light detectors, such as handheld cell-phone-sized Raman spectrometer, for various types of sensing. The cell-phone-based Raman and emission spectral detector, [..]

Researchers have developed a compact gas sensor platform that combines liquid crystals (LCs) with holographic metasurfaces to sense a volatile gas promptly and provide instantaneous feedback through a visual holographic alarm. This technology integrates the advantages of the stimuli responsiveness of LCs and the compactness of metasurfaces while maximizing the effectiveness of the sensor by [..]

Researchers demonstrate highly ultrafast x-ray optics-on-a-chip based on MEMS capable of modulating hard x-ray pulses exceeding 350 MHz, 103× higher than any other mechanical modulator, with a pulse purity >106 without compromising the spectral brilliance. Moreover, the timing characteristics of the devices can be tuned on-the-fly to deliver optimal pulse properties to create a host [..]

A highly sensitive optomechanical ultrasound detector integrated into a silicon photonic chip has been developed by researchers. The device is 100 times more sensitive than state-of-the-art piezoelectric detectors of identical sizes. Their design could substantially improve the performance of ultrasound detectors in a wide variety of biomedical applications. The researchers used a new optomechanical ultrasound [..]

The world of 2D material science is exciting, with new advances opening up new possibilities, most notably through graphene adaptations. Scientists have introduced a new player to the game in the form of borophane, an ultra-thin, ultra-strong material that they hope will one day be used in advanced electronics. Borophene has several disadvantages despite its [..]

Magneto-Optical (MO) effects are phenomena that modify the light polarization according to an external magnetic field applied to an MO active material. Amongst the most attractive properties of the magnetic transparent compounds are those related to the magneto-optical (MO) effects and their scientific and industrial applications in areas such as data storage, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, [..]

A multi-institutional team has created an optical coating capable of reflecting and transmitting the same wavelength simultaneously. Fano Resonance Optical Coatings is the name given to a new class of optical coatings (FROCs). Previously, optical coatings could only reflect certain wavelengths of light or better transmit certain wavelengths through them. Thermal and photovoltaic bands of [..]

Researchers have developed a unique ink iet printing method for fabricating tiny biocompatible polymer microdisk lasers for biosensing applications. The approach enables the production of both the laser and sensor in a room temperature, open-air environment, potentially enabling new uses of biosensing technologies for health monitoring and disease diagnostics. Using an inexpensive and portable commercial [..]

In many ways, our brain and digestive tract are inextricably linked. Recent research has even suggested that bacteria in our gut may have an impact on some neurological diseases. Modeling these complex interactions in animals like mice is difficult because their physiology differs greatly from that of humans. Researchers have created an “organs-on-a-chip” system that [..]

A patent application for an under-display optical fingerprint biometric sensor based on a narrow field-of-view collimator filed has been published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). While an in-display version of Touch ID biometrics has not been announced, numerous intellectual property filings and other indications have suggested it is at least under consideration. [..]

Researchers have developed the next generation of ultrafast data transmission, which could enable already high-performance computing to be provided “on demand.” The technology uses a hybrid silicon-vanadium dioxide waveguide that can turn light on and off in less than one trillionth of a second to unjam bottlenecks in data streams. The researchers show that data [..]

Artificial neural networks, which are layers of interconnected artificial neurons, are becoming increasingly popular in machine learning tasks such as speech recognition and medical diagnosis. Electronic computing hardware is nearing its capabilities, but the demand for more computing power is always increasing. Researchers chose the photonic processor over the electronic processor to transmit data at [..]

Researchers have developed a mechanical scanning-free microscopy method. The technique significantly improves the efficacy of fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM). The fact that fluorescence decay occurs quickly is a major limitation of traditional fluorescence lifetime microscopy methods; most ordinary cameras are incapable of capturing it. Using a single-point photodetector solves the problem, but the device must [..]

Optoelectronic advancements necessitate materials with novel and engineered properties. Metal-halide perovskites have sparked tremendous interest owing to meteoric increases in the photovoltaic efficiencies of perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, recent advances in metal-halide perovskites have resulted in using perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) in light-emitting devices. It was recently discovered that the unusually efficient light emission of cesium [..]