Showing 20 articles starting at article 141
< Previous 20 articles Next 20 articles >
Categories: Physics: Optics
Published Atomic nucleus excited with laser: a breakthrough after decades
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source For the first time, the state of an atomic nucleus was switched with a laser. For decades, physicists have been looking for such a nuclear transition -- now it has been found. This opens up a new field of research with many technological applications. Now, nuclei can be used for extremely precise measurements. For example, a nuclear clock could be built that could measure time more precisely than the best atomic clocks available today.
Published Physicists show that light can generate electricity even in translucent materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Some materials are transparent to light of a certain frequency. When such light is shone on them, electrical currents can still be generated, contrary to previous assumptions. Scientists have managed to prove this.
Published Speeding up spectroscopic analysis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Ultrafast laser spectroscopy allows the ascertainment of dynamics over extremely short time scales, making it a very useful tool in many scientific and industrial applications. A major disadvantage is the considerable measuring time this technique usually requires, which often leads to lengthy acquisition times spanning minutes to hours. Researchers have now developed a technique to speed up spectroscopic analysis.
Published Imaging technique shows new details of peptide structures
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers outline how they used a chemical probe to light up interlocking peptides. Their technique will help scientists differentiate synthetic peptides from toxic types found in Alzheimer's disease.
Published More efficient molecular motor widens potential applications
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Light-driven molecular motors were first developed nearly 25 years ago. However, making these motors do actual work proved to be a challenge. In a new paper, scientists describe improvements that bring real-life applications closer.
Published Researchers advance detection of gravitational waves to study collisions of neutron stars and black holes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers co-led a study that will improve the detection of gravitational waves--ripples in space and time.
Published Airborne single-photon lidar system achieves high-resolution 3D imaging
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a compact and lightweight single-photon airborne lidar system that can acquire high-resolution 3D images with a low-power laser. This advance could make single-photon lidar practical for air and space applications such as environmental monitoring, 3D terrain mapping and object identification.
Published How light can vaporize water without the need for heat
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers discovered that light can cause evaporation of water from a surface without the need for heat. This 'photomolecular effect' could be important for understanding climate change and for improving some industrial processes.
Published Holographic displays offer a glimpse into an immersive future
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have invented a new optical element that brings us one step closer to mixing the real and virtual worlds in an ordinary pair of eyeglasses using high-definition 3D holographic images.
Published Biophysics: Testing how well biomarkers work
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed a method to determine how reliably target proteins can be labeled using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy.
Published High-resolution lidar sees birth zone of cloud droplets
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists demonstrated the first-ever remote observations of the fine-scale structure at the base of clouds. The results show that the air-cloud interface is a transition zone where aerosol particles suspended in Earth's atmosphere give rise to the droplets that ultimately form clouds. The research will enable scientists to gain insight into how changes in atmospheric aerosol levels could affect clouds and climate.
Published A novel universal light-based technique to control valley polarization in bulk materials
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Scientists report a new method that achieves for the first time valley polarization in centrosymmetric bulk materials in a non-material-specific way. This 'universal technique' may have major applications linked to the control and analysis of different properties for 2D and 3D materials, which can in turn enable the advancement of cutting-edge fields such us information processing and quantum computing.
Published Lead-vacancy centers in diamond as building blocks for large-scale quantum networks
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A lead-vacancy (PbV) center in diamond has been developed as a quantum emitter for large-scale quantum networks by researchers. This innovative color center exhibits a sharp zero-phonon-line and emits photons with specific frequencies. The PbV color center stands out among other diamond color centers due to its ability to maintain optical properties at relatively high temperatures of 16 K. This makes it well-suited for transferring quantum information in large-scale quantum networks.
Published Laser-treated cork absorbs oil for carbon-neutral ocean cleanup
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers use laser treatments to transform ordinary cork into a powerful tool for treating oil spills. They tested variations of a fast-pulsing laser treatment, closely examining the nanoscopic structural changes and measuring the ratio of oxygen and carbon in the material, changes in the angles with which water and oil contact the surface, and the material's light wave absorption, reflection, and emission across the spectrum to determine its durability after multiple cycles of warming and cooling. The laser treatments not only help to better absorb oil, but also work to keep water out.
Published Gentle defibrillation for the heart
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Using light pulses as a model for electrical defibrillation, scientists developed a method to assess and modulate the heart function. The research team has thus paved the way for an efficient and direct treatment for cardiac arrhythmias. This may be an alternative for the strong and painful electrical shocks currently used.
Published Unlocking spin current secrets: A new milestone in spintronics
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Using neutron scattering and voltage measurements, a group of researchers have discovered that a material's magnetic properties can predict spin current changes with temperature. The finding is a major breakthrough in the field of spintronics.
Published Perfecting the view on a crystal's imperfection
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has gained widespread attention and application across various quantum fields and technologies because it contains single-photon emmiters (SPEs), along with a layered structure that is easy to manipulation. The precise mechanisms governing the development and function of SPEs within hBN have remained elusive. Now, a new study reveals significant insights into the properties of hBN, offering a solution to discrepancies in previous research on the proposed origins of SPEs within the material.
Published Switching off the light to see better
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers used structured light and switchable fluorescent molecules to reduce the background light from the out-of-plane regions of microscope samples. This method allowed for the acquisition of images that surpassed the conventional resolution limit, and it may be useful for further study of cell clusters and other biological systems.
Published 2D materials rotate light polarization
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Physicists have shown that ultra-thin two-dimensional materials such as tungsten diselenide can rotate the polarization of visible light by several degrees at certain wavelengths under small magnetic fields suitable for use on chips.
Published Superradiant atoms could push the boundaries of how precisely time can be measured
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Superradiant atoms can help us measure time more precisely than ever. In a new study, researchers present a new method for measuring the time interval, the second, mitigating some of the limitations that today's most advanced atomic clocks encounter. The result could have broad implications in areas such as space travel, volcanic eruptions and GPS systems.