Topological protection in disclination lattices that relies on non-trivial winding in momentum space and real space is used to confine and guide vortices that feature arbitrary high-order charges. This approach could help in the development of orbital angular momentum-based photonic devices.

Optical realization of photonic time crystals can be achieved by using temporal variations in a resonant material to expand the momentum bandgap, even at low modulation strengths, with known low-loss materials and realistic laser pump powers.

Co-deposition of copper thiocyanate with perovskite on textured silicon enables an efficient perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a certified power conversion efficiency of 31.46% for 1 cm² area devices.

Sub-cycle phase-resolved attosecond interferometry is developed. The obtained phase information enables us to decouple the multiple quantum paths induced in a light-driven system, isolating their coherent contribution and retrieving their temporal evolution.

Using spin-5/2 nuclei of ¹⁷³Yb atoms trapped in an optical lattice, a Schrödinger-cat state persists for a coherence time of 1.4 × 10³ s. In measuring external magnetic fields, the cat state exhibits a sensitivity approaching the Heisenberg limit.

Researchers use a DNA-mediated approach for the programmable assembly of octahedron-shaped plasmonic gold nanocrystals into nonlinear optical metacrystals. A maximum second-harmonic generation conversion efficiency of 10⁻⁹ is demonstrated.

Nature Photonics spoke with Hatice Altug, from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Thomas Krauss, from the University of York, and Malini Olivo from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) about optical biosensors and their prospects and challenges for clinical translation.

Photonics can play a pivotal role in bringing time crystals to the domain of optical ‘timetronics’ — an information and data technology that relies on the unique functionalities of this sophisticated yet esoteric state of matter.

The mitigation of climate change requires major transformations in the ways we generate energy and operate technologies that release carbon dioxide. Photonic concepts and novel light-driven technologies provide many potential solutions, transforming our current modes of energy use into more effective and sustainable ones.

Nathalie Picqué, the new director at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy (MBI) in Berlin, Germany, tells us all we need to know about frequency combs and dual-comb spectroscopy, and shares with us some golden tips on becoming a successful scientist.

Joseph Izatt’s work advanced the science of imaging in biophotonics and brought optical coherence tomography imaging to the eye care of infants and children and, as live feedback for the surgeon, to ophthalmic microsurgery.

Following first lasing at LCLS-II — a coherent X-ray laser source driven by a 700-m superconducting linear accelerator — several upgrades are already in the works. Nature Photonics spoke to LCLS director Mike Dunne about LCLS-II commissioning hurdles as well as future plans.