Optics and photonics
Research updates
Two new frequency combs could boost telecoms and molecular fingerprinting
One is low-cost, yet very stable, while the other uses a surprising new mechanism
Metasurface laser produces super-twisted light
New device could act as an “optical spanner” or wrench to control physical objects
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Latest articles in optics and photonics
Read article: Femtosecond photonics: precision meets robustness
Femtosecond photonics: precision meets robustness
By leveraging innovations in ultrastable lasers, accurate phase detection and timing synchronization, Menlo Systems’ femtosecond fibre lasers provide a core enabling technology f...
Read article: Twin Airy beams image tiny particles flowing in the bloodstream of live fish
Twin Airy beams image tiny particles flowing in the bloodstream of live fish
New technique boosts depth range for tracking single molecules
Read article: Nonlinear integrated photonics speeds up coherent lidar
Nonlinear integrated photonics speeds up coherent lidar
EPFL researchers use nonlinear photonic circuits to improve lidar, a technique for mapping distances using reflected laser light
Read article: Reality check: COVID-19 and UV disinfection
Reality check: COVID-19 and UV disinfection
How UV light is helping in the current pandemic, and its potential to play a bigger role in future disease outbreaks
Read article: ‘Twistronics for photons’ brings tunable diffraction-free light rays
‘Twistronics for photons’ brings tunable diffraction-free light rays
Experiments reveal a photonic analogue for electron superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene
Read article: ‘Photon crystals’ could be made using Rydberg atoms
‘Photon crystals’ could be made using Rydberg atoms
Repulsive interaction between photons is created in ultracold gas
Read article: Microwave timing signals get hundredfold boost in stability
Microwave timing signals get hundredfold boost in stability
Optical-clock performance is accessible to electronic devices
Read article: Solitons from new fibre laser could improve eye surgery
Solitons from new fibre laser could improve eye surgery
Short and powerful pulses are held together by high-order dispersion
Read article: Artificial eye has the potential to outperform human vision
Artificial eye has the potential to outperform human vision
New device could help visually impaired people
Read article: Optical phased array steers blue light
Optical phased array steers blue light
New device could significantly reduce the size of the light projection components employed in many emerging applications
Read article: Far-ultraviolet light could fight the next pandemic, assessing the physics in a sci-fi blockbuster, how to detect a black hole in the solar system
Far-ultraviolet light could fight the next pandemic, assessing the physics in a sci-fi blockbuster, how to detect a black hole in the solar system
Science fact and fiction in the Physics World Weekly podcast
Read article: Retinal imaging goes high resolution
Retinal imaging goes high resolution
New technique allows the cells involved in age-related macular degeneration to be observed more easily, raising hopes for earlier diagnosis
Read article: New devices produce and detect twisted light
New devices produce and detect twisted light
Novel detection method could substantially boost fibre-optic capacity and support advanced quantum communication protocols
Read article: Celebrate the laser’s 60th birthday with this enlightening quiz
Celebrate the laser’s 60th birthday with this enlightening quiz
This week's trivia challenge focuses on the past, present and (possible) future of laser technologies
Read article: Six decades of laser science
Six decades of laser science
Physics World celebrates the laser's 60th anniversary with a collection of articles on its history, development and applications
Read article: Happy 60th to the laser, European geoscientists gather online, choosing a plastic-free wrapper for Physics World
Happy 60th to the laser, European geoscientists gather online, choosing a plastic-free wrapper for Physics World
We celebrate the laser and its multitudinous contributions to science and technology
Read article: Quantum control using laser light could turn insulators into conductors and vice-versa
Quantum control using laser light could turn insulators into conductors and vice-versa
Everyday materials could take on exotic properties, say physicists
Read article: Lidar tracks mosquito behaviour by monitoring wingbeats
Lidar tracks mosquito behaviour by monitoring wingbeats
Laser-based technology can distinguish between male and female insects
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Related events
- Optics and photonics | Conference 19th Electromagnetic and Light Scattering Conference (ELS-XIX) 13—17 July 2020 | St Petersburg, Russia
- Lasers | Virtual event 14th Pacific Rim Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO PR 2020) 3—5 August 2020
- Biophysics and bioengineering | Virtual event Advanced photonics techniques in biology: cutting edge, open source and AI 1—2 September 2020
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