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A sub-cycle modulation in reflectivity is observed in bulk crystals subjected to intense laser fields. The effect provides a new way to probe attosecond dynamics in materials.
Plasmonic lasers display many unique features, but these were so far unrelated to magnetism. Recent research shows that plasmonic lasers can be switched on and off magnetically.
The introduction of piezo-optomechanical phase shifters into silicon optical chips enables the realization of complex, controllable optical processing circuits with negligible static power dissipation, high-speed configuration and compatibility with wafer-scale fabrication.
Giorgio Parisi recently shared a Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to the theory of complex systems. What is not well known is that photonics was crucial to validating Parisi’s predictions.
Measurement of the arrival times of annihilation photons in a detector with greater precision is opening the way to new direct forms of tomographic positron emission imaging that do not require back-projection-based reconstruction techniques.
For 20 years, nanoscale 3D printing has been based on two-photon absorption, requiring expensive pulsed lasers. Now, via a two-step absorption process, such printing has been demonstrated using a low-cost, low-power continuous-wave laser diode, showing the potential for dramatic cost reductions in 3D nanoprinting.
The three-dimensional images generated by digital holography are usually limited to a single color. A new technique exploiting frequency combs generates holograms with hundreds of colors at once.
The demonstration of a germanium-based photodiode with a 3 dB bandwidth of 265 GHz and compatibility with silicon photonics and CMOS fabrication offers a cost-effective route to faster channel data rates for optical communications.
The stabilization of perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) by a surrounding metal–organic framework (MOF) results in a simple yet effective way to make extraordinarily bright PeNC-based LEDs, with stable continuous operation of up to tens of hours.
Quantum teleportation is demonstrated between light and the vibrations of a nanomechanical resonator, realizing a key capability for quantum computing.
Practical on-chip optical isolators providing non-reciprocal propagation are still a challenge. Now, two independent groups show that a phonon-mediated break of the chiral symmetry in waveguide resonators may offer a solution.
The phase of terahertz waves can now be precisely modulated electronically using a chip-based digitally coded phase shifter. The achievement is a step towards chip-scale integrated terahertz technology.
Photon propagation through an array of coupled waveguides arranged in various fractal patterns serves as a useful ‘optical simulator’ for revealing insights into quantum transport in complex scenarios.
