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Optics and photonics is the study of the fundamental properties of light and harnessing them in practical applications. Optics and photonics covers the entire electromagnetic spectrum from high-energy gamma rays and X-rays, through the optical regime of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, to long-wavelength microwave and radio waves.
Converting continuous spin textures into discrete hidden valleys via local symmetry breaking unlocks long-lived, room-temperature spin control in two-dimensional perovskites.
Exawatt-to-zettawatt lasers are essential in the quest for an ultimate understanding of nature, but they are held back by the damage limits of conventional optics. A recent experiment of Raman pulse compression to terawatt power revitalizes the prospect of plasma-based optics for next-generation ultraintense lasers.
An optofluidic microcavity combined with an adaptive laser-locking scheme makes it possible to monitor hydrogen from individual molecules to per cent-level concentrations with a compact device.
Achieving precise extraction of multispectral features is a critical bottleneck for next-generation vision systems. Fang et al. report a multispectral sensor that distinguishes input light in the visible/near-infrared ranges from that in the mid-infrared range at the sensor level, enabling in-sensor multispectral processing.
Continuous variable quantum key distribution with local oscillators typically requires pilot signals to track phase drift. Here, the authors show how to extract keys from signal amplitudes, enabling pilot free operation and proof of principle key generation even when the optical phase is randomised.
The authors develop a programmable optical differential Ising machine that directly computes Hamiltonian variations to eliminate redundant full-matrix calculations for Ising combinatorial optimization and physical system emulation. Simulations and fiber-optic prototype experiments verify that the hardware only requires 5-bit DACs and 6-bit ADCs with a phase-error tolerance of 0.3–0.4 rad, and it yields optimal MaxCut solutions for the 800-spin benchmark and 99.66% of the known optimum for the 2000-spin instance via multi-spin parallel tempering.
Perovskite quantum dot light-emitting diodes are promising for lighting and displays, but poor operational stability limits their use. Wang et al. added an ultrathin boron nitride interlayer to suppress defects, ion migration, and heat sensitivity, improving efficiency and lifetime.
Converting continuous spin textures into discrete hidden valleys via local symmetry breaking unlocks long-lived, room-temperature spin control in two-dimensional perovskites.
Beyond enabling new optical behaviours, metamaterials influence our thinking of wave–matter interactions in science and engineering.
Exawatt-to-zettawatt lasers are essential in the quest for an ultimate understanding of nature, but they are held back by the damage limits of conventional optics. A recent experiment of Raman pulse compression to terawatt power revitalizes the prospect of plasma-based optics for next-generation ultraintense lasers.
An optofluidic microcavity combined with an adaptive laser-locking scheme makes it possible to monitor hydrogen from individual molecules to per cent-level concentrations with a compact device.
A paper in Nature Electronics reports a cracking-assisted transfer printing method that enables precise, high-resolution patterning of quantum dots (QDs) for full-colour QD-LED displays for future augmented reality/virtual reality and large-area display applications.
One approach to generate high-energy X-rays and γ-rays is inverse Compton scattering, where a high-energy electron beam collides with an intense laser pulse. However, this process is notoriously difficult because the electron and laser beams must be precisely aligned in space and time. Now, a coated plasma mirror is shown to dramatically increase the efficiency and energy of the generation.