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Recent progress in manipulating quantum states of light and matter brings quantum-enhanced measurements closer to prospective applications. The current challenge is to make quantum metrologic strategies robust against imperfections.
Quantum information protocols based on continuous-variable entangled states are attractive because they exploit standard optical modulation and measurement equipment, and do not require single photons. Recent progress in the field is reversing initial concerns about the practicality of the approach.
The race to demonstrate new lasers, including electrically pumped polymer lasers, makes it a good time to reflect on the measurements that must be undertaken to support a claim of lasing.
The acceleration of charged particles to ultra-high energies by intense laser pulses could be made a reality by petawatt laser facilities. Laser-based approaches promise a low-cost, compact and simple alternative, compared with conventional accelerators.
Super-resolution light microscopy methods either localize single molecular labels or treat the sample as a continuous object. The fundamental requirements for super-resolution in the continuum regime are spatially non-uniform illumination and a nonlinear photoresponse.
Multicolour, three-dimensional stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy now makes it possible to image cellular structures with near molecular-scale resolution.
New optical technologies have revolutionized astronomy, from the invention of the telescope 400 years ago to more recent developments of adaptive optics and segmented mirrors. The next disruptive technologies could well emerge from integrated photonic devices.
More than one-fifth of US electricity is used to power artificial lighting. Light-emitting diodes based on group III/nitride semiconductors are bringing about a revolution in energy-efficient lighting.
While many areas of photonics are being hit hard by the global recession and credit-crunch, others such as solar energy generation and solid-state lighting seem to be continuing to flourish.
