This issue - pv

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.136

Full Text - This issue | PDF (257 KB) - This issue

Taking things slow - p447

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.137

In optical networks of the future, the ability to slow and store light pulses to optimize the flow of data is likely to become indispensable. To celebrate the importance of the topic, this issue has a special focus dedicated to slow light.

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Why do we need slow light? - pp448 - 450

Thomas F. Krauss

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.139

The extreme speed at which light moves, and the fact that photons do not tend to interact with transparent matter, is of enormous benefit to mankind. It allows us to see deep into the Universe and to transmit data over long distances in optical fibres. So, why slow light down?

Full Text - Why do we need slow light? | PDF (433 KB) - Why do we need slow light?

Optical information processing in Bose–Einstein condensates - pp451 - 453

Lene Vestergaard Hau

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.140

Slow-light effects in ultracold atom clouds known as Bose–Einstein condensates offer rich opportunities for storing and processing optical signals.

Full Text - Optical information processing in Bose–Einstein condensates | PDF (514 KB) - Optical information processing in Bose–Einstein condensates

Slow light now and then - pp454 - 455

Interview with Robert Boyd

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.148

What are the origins of slow-light research and where is the field heading? Nature Photonics spoke to Robert Boyd to find out.

Full Text - Slow light now and then | PDF (163 KB) - Slow light now and then

A nanoarray lens, capturing images in atomic vapour, an emulsion mould for microspheres, and more - pp456 - 457

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.138

Full Text - A nanoarray lens, capturing images in atomic vapour, an emulsion mould for microspheres, and more | PDF (210 KB) - A nanoarray lens, capturing images in atomic vapour, an emulsion mould for microspheres, and more

Carbon nanotubes: A quantum light source - pp459 - 460

Anna Demming

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.143

Single-photon emission from carbon nanotubes has been observed by researchers in Switzerland. The findings give hope for a new type of light source for quantum computing and quantum communication.

Full Text - Carbon nanotubesA quantum light source | PDF (351 KB) - Carbon nanotubesA quantum light source

Waveguiding: The best of both worlds - pp460 - 461

Stefan A. Maier

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.144

Waveguides are crucial for directing light, but truly useful waveguides should confine light on the nanoscale. Researchers show that a semiconducting nanowire close to a metallic surface can confine light far below the diffraction limit and guide it over dozens of wavelengths.

Full Text - WaveguidingThe best of both worlds | PDF (207 KB) - WaveguidingThe best of both worlds

Optical quantum information: The quantum information cocoon - pp461 - 462

Geoff J. Pryde

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.142

Polarization is a convenient way to encode quantum information for cryptography, remote transfer and optical quantum computing, but sharing entanglement is problematic over a noisy link. Hiding in an isolated corner of the state space can make a big difference.

Full Text - Optical quantum informationThe quantum information cocoon | PDF (202 KB) - Optical quantum informationThe quantum information cocoon

Quantum optics: Maxwell's demon opens new doors - pp463 - 464

Adela Marian & Bretislav Friedrich

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.145

Maxwell's demon has now been realized using laser light. The ability to let atoms pass one way but not the other through a light 'gate' could provide new means to cool atomic and molecular vapours.

Full Text - Quantum opticsMaxwell's demon opens new doors | PDF (621 KB) - Quantum opticsMaxwell's demon opens new doors

Bioimaging: Cellular vision - p464

Amber Jenkins

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.141

Full Text - BioimagingCellular vision | PDF (373 KB) - BioimagingCellular vision

Slow light in photonic crystals - pp465 - 473

Toshihiko Baba

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.146

The unique properties of wide-bandwidth and dispersion-free propagation in photonic-crystal devices have made them a good candidate for slow-light generation. This article gives the background theory of slow light, as well as an overview of recent experimental demonstrations based on photonic-band engineering.

Abstract - | Full Text - Slow light in photonic crystals | PDF (1,804 KB) - Slow light in photonic crystals

Slow and fast light in optical fibres - pp474 - 481

Luc Thévenaz

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.147

This article reviews different approaches for slow- and fast-light generation in optical fibres at telecommunication wavelengths, with emphasis on the stimulated–Brillouin–scattering approach — a relatively active area in optical–fibre–based control of slow and fast light.

Abstract - | Full Text - Slow and fast light in optical fibres | PDF (790 KB) - Slow and fast light in optical fibres

Enhanced light out-coupling of organic light-emitting devices using embedded low-index grids - pp483 - 487

Yiru Sun & Stephen R. Forrest

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.132

Extracting light from organic LEDs is difficult owing to the refractive index of the materials used, and the output efficiency is typically limited to around 15–20%. By embedding a grid with a low refractive index into the organic layers and using a microlens array researchers have now managed to increase this figure to 34%, representing an improvement by factor of 2.3 over a conventional device.

Abstract - | Full Text - Enhanced light out-coupling of organic light-emitting devices using embedded low-index grids | PDF (397 KB) - Enhanced light out-coupling of organic light-emitting devices using embedded low-index grids

Subject Category: Lasers, LEDs and light sources

Robust photonic entanglement distribution by state-independent encoding onto decoherence-free subspace - pp488 - 491

Takashi Yamamoto, Kodai Hayashi, ahin Kaya Özdemir, Masato Koashi & Nobuyuki Imoto

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.130

Before the practical implementation of quantum information schemes, there is a need to reduce loss, both in terms of photons and the information they carry. A robust scheme now experimentally demonstrated tackles this problem using so-called decoherence-free subspace.

Abstract - | Full Text - Robust photonic entanglement distribution by state-independent encoding onto decoherence-free subspace | PDF (246 KB) - Robust photonic entanglement distribution by state-independent encoding onto decoherence-free subspace

Subject Categories: Quantum optics | Fibre optics and optical communications

See also: News and Views by Pryde

A high-efficiency display based on a telescopic pixel design - pp492 - 495

Anna L. Pyayt, Gary K. Starkweather & Michael J. Sinclair

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.133

Several technologies have been invented as alternatives to the LCD, which transmits only a small portion of the backlight. Now researchers have come up with a display involving a telescopic pixel design, which can transmit 36% of the backlight. The eventual result could be large, bright displays that offer higher contrast at a low cost.

Abstract - | Full Text - A high-efficiency display based on a telescopic pixel design | PDF (262 KB) - A high-efficiency display based on a telescopic pixel design | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Displays

A hybrid plasmonic waveguide for subwavelength confinement and long-range propagation - pp496 - 500

R. F. Oulton, V. J. Sorger, D. A. Genov, D. F. P. Pile & X. Zhang

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.131

Xiang Zhang and colleagues from the University of California, Berkeley, propose a new approach for confining light on scales much smaller than the wavelength of light. Using hybrid waveguides that incorporate dielectric and plasmonic waveguiding techniques, they are able to confine surface plasmon polaritons very strongly over large distances. The advance could lead to truly nanoscale plasmonics and photonics.

Abstract - | Full Text - A hybrid plasmonic waveguide for subwavelength confinement and long-range propagation | PDF (312 KB) - A hybrid plasmonic waveguide for subwavelength confinement and long-range propagation | Supplementary information

Subject Category: Plasmonics

See also: News and Views by Maier

Creation of a needle of longitudinally polarized light in vacuum using binary optics - pp501 - 505

Haifeng Wang, Luping Shi, Boris Lukyanchuk, Colin Sheppard & Chong Tow Chong

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.127

Light is often thought of in terms of radial polarization, but longitudinal polarization is also possible, and it has some intriguing possibilities for particle acceleration. Binary optics, combined with a high-numerical-aperture lens, is a potential route to achieving light with this unusual property.

Abstract - | Full Text - Creation of a needle of longitudinally polarized light in vacuum using binary optics | PDF (877 KB) - Creation of a needle of longitudinally polarized light in vacuum using binary optics

Subject Category: Fundamental optical physics

Photonics at NPG - p507

A round-up of recent papers in the field of photonics published by the physical sciences division of the Nature Publishing Group.

Full Text - Photonics at NPG | PDF (172 KB) - Photonics at NPG

Laser safety equipment - pp508 - 509

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.150

Protecting your eyes is of course important when using lasers. The good news is that safety eyewear is becoming increasingly comfortable and stylish. Neil Savage reports.

Full Text - Laser safety equipment | PDF (211 KB) - Laser safety equipment

Telescopic displays - p512

Interview with Anna Pyayt, Gary Starkweather & Michael Sinclair

doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.151

Liquid-crystal displays are hugely successful in today's world, but their back-light transmission efficiency is relatively small. Nature Photonics spoke to Anna Pyayt, who, with colleagues at Microsoft, has devised a display approach that could offer improved light efficiency at lower cost.

Full Text - Telescopic displays | PDF (138 KB) - Telescopic displays