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Optical-frequency antennas efficiently couple light into very small volumes. Introducing an important concept from radiofrequency antenna design, that of loading with so-called lumped circuit elements, may provide a way of tuning the frequency response of optical nanoantennas.

Laser-generated plasmas are important for the creation of X-ray lasers and attosecond light pulses, but observing the internal dynamics of a plasma is difficult. This paper reports a method for real-time imaging of the electric-field distribution in such plasmas with ultrahigh temporal resolution, yielding a new insight into their behaviour

Metamaterials that possess frequency tunability enable new device functions. By external optical control through the incorporation of semiconductors in metallic split-ring resonators, the researchers provide an elegant solution to frequency-agile terahertz metamaterials.

The drive to develop detectors capable of counting the number of photons in a weak optical pulse is motivated by potential applications in quantum computing. Superconducting nanostructures are one exciting approach: offering high sensitivity and operate at repetition rates up to 80 MHz.

Ceramic lasers look poised to make an impact in photonics thanks to the tantalizing possibilities of high output power, ultrashort-pulse generation and cost-effective production.

Single-photon emission is a well-explored process. But in recent years interest in two-photon emission has grown. Nature Photonics spoke to Meir Orenstein and Alex Hayat in Israel about their latest work, which reports two-photon emission in a semiconductor.

Biological processes often involve multimolecular interactions on a nanometre scale or at very large molecular concentrations, making them difficult to visualize. Optical antennas have the potential to become powerful tools for nanobioimaging by enhancing optical fields on this tiny scale.

Optical antennas are able to concentrate light on a scale much smaller then the wavelength. By using the probe of an atomic force microscope, it is possible to manipulate a so-called bow-tie antenna, thereby tuning its optical response.

Two-photon emission has now been observed from an electrically pumped semiconductor. The process, which involves the simultaneous generation of correlated photons, could have important implications for quantum information technology.

How black is black? An ideally black material would absorb light perfectly at all angles for all wavelengths. Using arrays of carbon nanotubes, researchers based in New York have now engineered a metamaterial that constitutes the darkest material ever made.

The increase in laser-diode sales has had a knock-on effect on activity in the diode-driver market. Neil Savage gives an update of the latest products on offer.

The burgeoning field of nanophotonics is taking light into places that did not seem possible. Optical antennas could, in the not-so-distant future, provide a new way of observing the different components of a cell and studying their interaction.

The use of inorganic charge transport layers has enabled the fabrication of bright, environmentally stable LEDs that are based on electrically pumped colloidal solutions of quantum dots.

Although electronic paper that can display monochrome static images has been growing in popularity, the next generation of products will soon be capable of displaying video in full colour. Duncan Graham-Rowe reports.

Optical antennas have already been shown to dramatically enhance molecular excitation and emission processes. Now, a compelling new study illustrates how they can redirect the emission of single molecules.

Interactions between laser and matter are fascinating and have found a wide range of applications. This article gives an overview of the fundamental physical mechanisms in the processing of transparent materials using ultrafast lasers, as well as important emerging applications of the technology.