Volume 16 Issue 4, April 2022

The local polarization of light in nanophotonic waveguides changes with the light’s direction of propagation. By electrically controlling the polarization of optically created waveguide-coupled excitons in a two-dimensional semiconductor, researchers demonstrate voltage-controlled routing of photons in an integrated nanophotonic device.

A record-breaking microwave-to-optics conversion efficiency of 82% over a 1 MHz bandwidth for low photon numbers is achieved by using a gas of Rydberg atoms, paving the way towards applications in quantum technologies.

A photonic quantum memristor is experimentally demonstrated, paving the way to neuromorphic quantum computing.

Recent progress of table-top isolated attosecond light sources is reviewed with a focus on the related technologies for high-average-flux and high-peak-intensity attosecond bursts of light. An outlook on its applications is also provided.

Researchers demonstrate a topological-cavity surface-emitting laser with a 10 W peak power and sub-degree beam divergence at 1,550 nm wavelength. The system is also capable of multiple-wavelength arrays.

The use of perovskite quantum-wire light emitters results in high-quality planar and spherical light-emitting diodes.

The demonstration of high-efficiency coherent microwave-to-optics conversion could push atomic transducers closer to practical applications in quantum technologies.

The demonstration of high-resolution quantum-dot light-emitting diodes by transfer printing could prove useful for next-generation displays.

Attosecond-gated interferometry is developed by combining sub-cycle temporal gating and extreme-ultraviolet interferometry. By measuring the electron’s relative phase and amplitude under a tunnelling barrier, the quantum nature of the electronic wavepacket is identified.

Researchers use spin-charge coupling and FePS₃ crystals to induce large in-plane optical anisotropy and near-unity linear dichroism in the visible–near-infrared range.

A quantum-optical memristor is realized by means of a laser-written integrated photonic circuit. The memristive dynamics of the device is fully characterized. A memristor-based quantum reservoir computer is proposed as a possible application.

Superfluorescence—the collective emission of fluorescent light—is observed at temperatures up to 330 K in lead halide perovskite thin films. This finding suggests an intrinsic mechanism for protecting the electronic coherence in these materials.

Researchers demonstrate electrically controllable chirality by exploiting doping-dependent valley polarization of excitonic states in monolayer tungsten diselenide.