OPFocus Archive
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Volume 19 January-March 2013
THE INTERVIEW with Allard Mosk
Imaging through Scattering MediaThanks to recent advances in Optics, looking trough turbid materials is no longer just a simple dream of few. In the following interview, Allard Mosk from the University of Twente takes us through a backstage tour of this fast emerging research field.
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Close up on DNAWe know quite a bit about our genetic code, the DNA. We know its composition, its structure, and also its function. However, we have not yet been able to look at the famous double-helix directly. Using some powerful microscopy techniques it is now possible to actually look at the primary windings of a DNA bundle.
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Optically UnbalancedOut-of-equilibrium phenomena can be the source of many a novel discovery. They are wondrous to work with, yet tough at the same time. And their very complexity is what makes them an interesting, albeit exacting challenge. The interaction between Brownian motion and optical forces now comes to provide us with new insights into these phenomena.
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Hot Science Below Absolute ZeroUltracold atoms afford scientists incredible control over the behavior of gas particles. And near impossible physics, in the form of negative absolute temperatures, for example, ensues!
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A New Twist to Optical DetectorsA new arrival in the family of optical detectors gives a new twist to the detection of the orbital angular momentum of light. This could make classical and quantum optical communications even easier.
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Volume 18 September-December 2012
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Photonic BrainsThinking at the speed of light may soon acquire new meaning — inspired by how the brain processes information, researchers present an optical system capable of recognizing spoken words.
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A Wind Tunnel for Quantum PhysicsSimulating quantum phenomena on today’s computers can be extremely challenging. Yet, just like the wind tunnel changed the trajectory of modern aviation, new specially built quantum simulators may soon guide the design of tailor-made quantum materials.
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Outclassing SuperheroesSuperheroes, watch out! A new rival, such as you have never come up against before, is in town. Progress is the name! And the exclusivity of your superpowers may well be at stake.
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Peeking Around CornersUntil now cameras have only been able to see what is in front of them. Thanks to recent developments in ultra-fast imaging and computational photography, they may also soon be able to see objects out of the line of sight.
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Your Eyes Can WriteOur eyes perceive our surroundings, convey emotion and, some may say, that they can even speak, loud and clear. Now, with the help of an optical illusion, our eyes can also write.
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Quantum Randomness on a ChipOnline banking, e-commerce and data protection are currently secured by pseudo-random numbers which could, eventually, one day be cracked due to the fact that they are not truly random. A new approach based on quantum optics may soon allow for safer operations by efficiently generating truly random numbers.
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Volume 17 April-August 2012
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Towards Better X-ray LasersRed, green and blue lasers all produce extremely good-quality light and therefore play a key role in everyday life. X-ray lasers, in comparison, are still in their infancy. Building on the principles of visible-light lasers, however, it is possible to produce better X-rays.
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Baffle the Bug!Puzzled by the zebra’s appearance? Experimental data of recent research supports the idea that zebras developed their striped coat to stave off horseflies.
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A Seriously Defocused SpiderA jumping spider about to pounce on its prey needs to be able to accurately measure its distance from its target in order to be able to hit it with precision. This is possible thanks to a visual approach previously unknown to exist in nature.
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Anti-aging Treatment for Ancient BooksAncient manuscripts offer a fascinating glimpse into the knowledge and technology of times long gone. Alas, these cultural treasures fade over time as a result of the slow oxidation of cellulose. A combination of optical techniques and numerical studies may soon aid in their preservation and restoration.
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The Artistic Touch of LightArt masterpieces reveal surprising facets when we look at them through different eyes. Visible light is not always enough to disclose all of the details they hide. Use thermal radiation, however, and a good deal of their mysteries can be unveiled.
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Towards Reconciling Einstein and PlanckQuantum physics and general relativity have completely changed our understanding of nature and kick-started the 20th century’s technological revolution — be that as it may, these two theories sometimes deliver contradictive results. A new proposal may finally be able to shed light on this issue.
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A Rather Random MicroscopeA new recipe from the microscopy world. Take a standard microscope, add a pinch of noise. Mix it all together and voilà: an image with improved resolution is served!
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Volume 16 January-March 2012
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QSI: Quantum Scene InvestigationWhat do police detectives and quantum physicists have in common? They both often need to interpret evidence, and distinguish between false and real clues. After all, evidence pointing to a quantum phenomenon can be rigged, just like evidence pointing to a crime suspect can.
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Hide and SeekEvery morning, on the seabed, a cuttlefish wakes up. It knows it must camouflage itself to fool its predators. Every morning, on the seabed, a predator fish wakes up. It knows it must keep its eyes peeled, if it wants to eat. The game for survival is on. Who will win?
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Sailing through the Waves of LightThe difference in the interaction between an atom and light can be as wide as that between a pleasant, relaxing canoe ride, and a whitewater rafting experience. It is now possible to switch back and forth between the two, ultraquickly, at the touch of a laser pulse.
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Traffic Lights for ChemotherapyMany cancer patients do not respond to chemotherapy and have to endure harmful side effects even when the treatment itself does not prove effective. A new technique could, as of the very first day, give the green or red light to continuing with the treatment.
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Restless Cells in the Human EyeThe cone cells in the human eye make it possible for us to enjoy a world full of color. A new technique helps us understand these cells better by measuring their growth in the eyes of a living person.
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Spying on Living CellsUndercover agents have been using tiny spy cameras for decades. Now, thanks to nanotechnology, researchers can also go undercover and spy on living cells from the inside.
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Pipes Unclogged The Quantum Physics Way!Quantum effects are often portrayed as far more fragile than classical physics effects. However, classical physics sometimes lets us down when it comes to errorless transfer of data; when this is the case, quantum physics could come to the rescue!
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Glowing, Enchanted MaterialsNever underestimate the magic of a glowing object. From the flare of a fire deep in the darkness of a cave, to the flashy neon illuminations in Times Square, luminescent materials have fascinated mankind for centuries. This enchantment continues with novel materials that can go on glowing for days without receiving continuous power from an energy source.
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Journey to the Center of the EarthWhat happens when we put an electric insulator, such as iron oxide, under pressure and temperature conditions as extreme as those of the Earth’s interior? The insulator turns into a conductor: a notion that will help us to refine our current understanding of the Earth’s magnetism.
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Charge Goes Up, Charge Comes Down What a wonderful world it is when looked at from the perspective of a microscopic particle! All at once, a whole lot of small things take on new importance – not least so, the behavior of the electric charges around the particle.
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Volume 15 October-December 2011
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Blue Light Beats the BluesWe all appreciate how a walk in the sun can do wonders for lifting our spirits, even though we may not know the exact scientific reasons behind the fact that sunshine helps fight the blues. Recent evidence sheds new (blue) light onto this mystery.
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Soft, Oily and Self-healingOptical components made of materials other than glass are very much sought after when it comes to engineering devices that are flexible, adaptable, and self-healing. Amongst an array of possible materials, organogels now take to the field.
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Light from the Darkest PlanetThe different colors reflected by carrots, green leaf salad, or even blueberries, give us clues as to their composition. Interestingly, the composition of exoplanets can also be inferred from their reflected light. But, what if a planet is far darker than we had ever thought possible?
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Roy G. Biv Goes NanoRoy G. Biv: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet… the colors of the rainbow. New LED devices make them shine on the nanoscale.
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Light’s Pull and PushThat light can exert forces by pushing objects has been known for a while. But would you have guessed that light can also pull towards the light source, just like the optical tractor beams in Star Trek?
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The Photon BouncerTechnology based on individual photons may soon open the door to new ways of quantum computing. Controlling quantum systems, however, is extremely subtle and difficult. The most common model currently in use, as it now turns out, is simply insufficient — a slightly more complex approach is required.
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A Brighter Summer under the IceWhile Venice and other coastal cities around the world are slowly sinking, during the Arctic summer the waters underneath the ice become brighter and brighter. Are these two scenarios connected to the continuous thinning of Arctic ice?
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The Number of Life1/137… give or take: the value of the fine-structure constant. Our Universe, our life and everything we know depend on this number. What would the consequences be, if this were to change?
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Volume 14 July-September 2011
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Eyeball Cameras: Beyond BiologyThe flexibility of today’s commercial cameras is limited by the use of solid lenses and rigid detector chips. Biologically-inspired eyeball cameras with deformable imaging elements could soon revolutionize the way our devices capture the world.
QEOD THESIS PRIZES
EPS QEOD Thesis Prizes: The Winners of 2011Six promising young scientists have received the prestigious QEOD Thesis Prize, awarded by the Quantum Electronics and Optics division (QEOD) of the European Physical Society (EPS), for their fundamental and applied work in optics and photonics. The ceremony took place at the CLEO/Europe-EQEC meeting in Munich, in May2011. Congratulations!
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Holography Goes Beyond 3D3D vision devices are one of the biggest technology gimmicks of the day. Holography is an inherently three-dimensional technology that now supports full color. It could, therefore, provide the ultimate 3D experience, with images and movies appearing identical to the real world… and without the need for 3D glasses.
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Long Live the Polymer!A new class of polymer that self-heals when exposed to ultraviolet light has been developed. Could this be the dawn of a technological future with self-healing materials?
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Bionic LasersIn the dawn of the third Millennium, lasers are fast becoming man’s best friend. Be that as it may, the world still perceives them as cold, lifeless devices. Can that image be shaken off, or even turned around? Can lasers be perceived as something that is, on the contrary, warm and full of life?
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Flat Light from a Flat DiamondThe possibility to polarize light in optical fibers comes to establish graphene as a likely key player in the future of optical technologies; a new application emerges for this material that rocked the scientific world due to its fascinating properties.
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A Close Up on MatterThe deeper we try to look into matter, the larger the experimental facilities seem to become. Paddling against the flow, a new technique from Japan could soon make 3D atomic images affordable by any small laboratory around the world.
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Volume 13 April-June 2011
THE VIEWPOINT by Zuleykhan Tomova
The IONS ProjectOver the past few years, a new network of young researchers has taken the world by storm: IONS. The International OSA Network of Students is a global network for young scientists, which enables them to connect, exchange ideas, and learn directly from the stars of science.
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The Random Walk towards Quantum ComputingSubtle quantum effects will be at the heart of the quantum computers of the future. Very few existing setups, however, offer the necessary stability and control to exploit such effects at the moment. As it turns out, arrays of waveguides meet this challenge, and they, therefore, serve as test beds for studying quantum computing.
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Extreme Light-BendersCommon materials have only limited light-bending power. A new, manmade material can bend light to the extreme thanks to the ultra-high value of its refractive index.
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Solar Fuel: No More Drilling!The Earth’s reserve of fossil fuels is limited, and their production and use pollute our environment. Solar collectors offer a possible solution to the increasingly pressing demands for economically and environmentally sustainable energy.
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Upconversion ReloadedRecent results give new life to an old, almost forgotten technique: upconversion imaging could soon make possible the wide use of light technology for infrared detection.
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Astronomical TwistersBlack holes are enigmatic astronomical objects, which remain, as of yet, unobserved. We may, however, be in a position to trace their trail. It is possible that a rotating black hole imparts small twists to photons passing nearby, which we may be able to detect from Earth.
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Superfluid PhotonsSuperfluidity is a peculiar quantum state of matter that resembles a liquid, albeit with no viscosity. Usually, this phenomenon is studied at ultra-low temperatures using very delicate setups. However, light can also mimic superfluid behavior, a fact which could make experiments considerably more accessible.
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Volume 12 January-March 2011
THE VIEWPOINT by Iain Ross
Why We Need Young Scientists to Interact with CompaniesToday we are in a world where, although necessary, neither academic excellence nor corporate muscle are sufficient to deliver an economy where innovation thrives and hence profits can be made and quality of life be maintained. It is only where there is strong interaction between companies large and small and the academic sector that innovation can flourish. There is increasing realisation by companies, governments and the universities that “open innovation” is an essential element of any progressive industrial economy. Young researchers have a significant part to play in this by embracing the challenges at the boundaries of academic and industrial research and development.
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Counting Photons at the NanoscalePhoton detection and counting is crucial, for example, for optical communications and quantum optics. Recent advances in nanotechnology allow nanoscale detection with single photon sensitivity.
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Twisted ElectronsRecent experiments lend a brand new twist to the tale unfolding in the field of electron microscopy. Promising electron vortices have made their appearance at the crossroads between nanotechnology and magnetism.
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Hack Me If You CanQuantum cryptography promises inherently secure communications… in theory! But what actually happens in practice? Recent studies show how weaknesses in a real system can be exploited to perform an “undetectable” quantum hack.
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The Ultimate ResolutionEven the best microscopes in the world are not powerful enough to see the details of single molecules. Now, researchers have found a way to image these details, paving the way to a better understanding of molecular physics, and taking another step towards designer molecules.
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Quantum Circuits: Fast and CoolIn the 20th century information technologies based on microelectronics changed the world. In the 21st century nanophotonics looks very likely to become a key factor in the building of quantum information technologies.
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LIDAR in the Driver's SeatNew devices based on a concept similar to that of RADAR could revolutionize your daily commute. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technologies are providing the vision for a new generation of driverless vehicles.
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Quantum Devices to Thrive on DisorderIt is usually assumed that a greater effort to perfect control and order in a device is rewarded by better results. However, imperfection and disorder could be a state of contentment when it comes to photon trapping.
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Fairy Penguins Know BestMirror, mirror on the wall, who is the bluest of them all? The Fairy Penguin, of course! A newly discovered biophotonic structure causes the blue shades in the feathers of the penguins found along the coastline of Southern Australia and New Zealand.
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Volume 11 October-December 2010
THE VIEWPOINT by Lulu Rodriguez
Why We Should All Care about Science WritingThe mass media are considered the most available and sometimes the only source for most of the public to gain information about scientific discoveries, controversies, events, and the work of scientists. Science reporters play a crucial role in developing a public that is literate about science so that people are able to make wise choices about issues with scientific underpinnings and become active participants in defining policy options.
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Subnanometer PerfectionAccording to French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) the perfect is the enemy of the good, thus not exactly desirable. As recent results show, however, where scientific research is concerned this may not always hold true.
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Light SyringesScared of needles? Fear no more! A new injection technique could make the needle obsolete by replacing it with a flash of light.
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Darkness Amplification by Stimulated Absorption of Radiation, No Kidding!In the 60s, the anti-laser concept was invented alongside the laser concept. It was a joke then, but recent research shows how interesting physics does lie within this concept.
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Spooky LightMany are afraid of darkness, but who gets spooked by light? Light has now been used to condition rats to fear, teaching us about fear memory formation.
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Tiny Mirrors in the Sky to Fight Global WarmingTiny particles in the atmosphere play a decisive role in determining the Earth’s temperature. Can nanoparticles be deployed to fight global warming?
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Shades of 3D VisionHow does the brain recreate a 3D world from the 2D images the eyes capture? Recent evidence shows that shadows and light may be even more important than was originally thought when it comes to the recreation of a 3D world in the brain.
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Volume 10 July-September 2010
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Brownian SpeedcamBrownian particles, mind the speedcam! It is now possible to measure the instantaneous speed of a Brownian particle. Not only are these measurements of fundamental importance for statistical physics, they also open up new perspectives for the study of quantum systems.
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When Shape Really MattersParticles in the nanoworld have mostly been modeled on unrealistically ideal shapes. A recent research takes advantage of a more complex and realistic model of the complex 3D shape of a nanoparticle.
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Abraham vs. Minkowski 1-1Does a photon gain or does it lose momentum when it enters a glass slab? Both may be the simple, yet ingenious answer to this centenary dilemma.
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Updating the Size of the Proton: Small Difference, Big ConsequenceThe proton is one of the building blocks of matter and now latest studies suggest it is considerably smaller than previously measured. This is a result that may well challenge our current understanding of nature.
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Cerenkov Photons: A Cancer SearchlightMillions of people fall victim to cancer every year. A great number of these lives could be saved if a simple, inexpensive tool for the early detection of cancer were available. Now, a new technique called Cerenkov luminescence tomography, looks likely to offer a ray of hope in that direction.
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Plasmons: Transform!Latest experiments demonstrate an easy way to freely transform electromagnetic waves moving on metals. This yields promise of powerful applications, ranging from computers and biomedical devices, to solar cells and cell phones.
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Snapshots of Electrons in MotionRecent, groundbreaking experiments using ultrashort laser pulses have permitted the study of the motion of electrons in atoms right after ionization. This leads the way to a better understanding and control of the motion of electrons in atoms and molecules.
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Volume 9 April-June 2010
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Neurons, Freeze!Neurons are the building block of the arguably most complex structure of the Universe: the human brain. Recent experiments show innovative ways to shock-freeze neurons while they are communicating with each other.
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The Coolest ThermometerTemperature measurements are key in science and technology. Close to absolute zero, however, they are extremely difficult. A new method now allows the measuring of some of the coolest temperatures ever produced.
THE VIEWPOINT by Alejandra Valencia
Happy Birthday Laser!May 16, 1960. A day like many others, except, of course, for the fact that on this day the laser was born. A candy store owner, a photographer, and at least four American and two Russian scientists took part in the story that led to this accomplishment. This was a humble event, which could not foreshadow the future success of the newborn laser. This year the world celebrates the 50th birthday of the laser through an initiative jointly organized by various optics and photonics organizations: the LaserFest. Happy birthday laser!
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Truly Random Results: You Can Bet on It! True randomness can hardly ever be proved. However, latest experiments on quantum systems deliver truly random results — guaranteed!
THE VIEWPOINT by Jean-luc Doumont
Fighting the Noise in Your CommunicationOne of the best-known rules of telecommunication — maximize the signal-to-noise ratio — applies equally well to professional communication and can help us greatly improve our oral presentations, written documents, and graphs.
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In Pursuit of Bacteria: A Cat-and-Mouse GameCells in the immune system seem to have a sixth sense for tracking down invasive bacteria. A new technique for manipulating single cells could revolutionize our understanding of their tactics and eventually lead to new strategies for mobilizing our body's defenses against disease.
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Cells through X-RaysThanks to their ability to see through solid objects, X-rays are one of the most powerful tools of modern medicine. They may soon enable us to see inside a single cell with a stunning resolution of ten nanometers.
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Volume 8 January-March 2010
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The Future of BarcodesThanks to barcodes, computers can extract a lot of information on our everyday lives. A new technology by MIT, the Bokode, greatly enhances barcode technology, from interactive shopping to inexpensive motion capture.
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Listen to the Light and See Deeper Imaging fluorescent proteins in thick biological samples has always been a challenge. Now a new technique has harnessed the opto-acoustic effect in order to make deep tissue imaging easier for biologists.
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A New Instrument for the Laser OrchestraLaser physics and music share surprising analogies: lasers and flutes, for example, have been tuned in a very similar way until now. Recent experiments show that lasers can also be tuned in a way that does not find a counterpart in music, well not yet at least.
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Is Light Slowing Down?The speed of light is a universal constant — or is it? Some evidence seems to suggest it might actually be slowing down. Will we soon have to revise our cosmological beliefs?
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The Dark Side of LasersSome scientific discoveries completely change how we look at things: it certainly was the case for Dirac’s theory on antimatter or Einstein’s theory of relativity. Now, our existing scientific ideas are set to change once more; new experiments show that laser theory should be extended to include dark pulse emission.
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Forensic Optics: Transforming a Hair into a Travel LogSolving crimes usually requires a lot of time and complicated investigations in order to find clear evidence. Now, it is possible to obtain information about a suspect's travel history simply by analyzing their hair.
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Tiny Plasmonic WhirlpoolsScientists can twist light to create tiny typhoons on metal surfaces. Particles close to the light swirls can get trapped and pulled to the center of the whirlpool, like an autumn leaf is pulled to the center of a pond whirlpool.
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Volume 7 October-December 2009
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Plasmon Harvesting: A Route to Plasmonic Circuitry What cannot be seen can often be felt, even in the case of physics. Invisible electromagnetic oscillations, known as surface plasmons, trapped inside a nanowire can now be detected by converting them into an electrical current.
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What a Molecular Transistor!How far can a single, tiny molecule go? Exceeding most people's imagination, researchers have shown that a single molecule can actually work as a transistor for photons.
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Magnetic Break UpWe usually think of the north and south magnetic poles as an inseparable couple. Experiments have now shown that under the appropriate conditions they can, in fact, break up.
THE VIEWPOINT by Banqiu Wu & Ajay Kumar
Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography: Towards the Next Generation of Integrated Circuits Lithography is the most challenging technology in the semiconductor industry. The most promising next generation lithography technology is extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL). EUVL was proposed long ago, in 1988, but its implementation has been postponed several times. Presently, most "showstoppers" are gone, but there are still several challenges that need to be addressed. The semiconductor industry is now getting ready to use EUVL in a pre-production phase, and EUVL might be implemented for 32 nm and 22 nm technological nodes. High volume manufacturing EUVL printers will be delivered to multiple end-users from 2010.
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The Smallest Laser EverA year before the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser, laser physicists present a new breakthrough: the nanolaser. It is the smallest laser ever, which makes a whole new range of applications in nanophotonics possible.
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The Dawn of Scalable Quantum ComputersHow close are we to the quantum computational revolution? Quantum computers promise drastic speedups for tackling the most complex mathematical problems. Nonetheless, current precursors of quantum computers cannot be scaled efficiently to reasonably sized systems. Now, researchers have realized a new setup that can be scaled more easily than ever before.
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Two Colors is Better than OneStandard optical fibers have revolutionized our lives. Now new perspectives can be envisioned for a new generation of photonic crystal fibers capable of transmitting two different colors at the same time.
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Colors Beyond the NoiseWe need eyes to see, but we need contrast to discern. A new technique for optical microscopy can now detect molecules even when their fluorescence is overwhelmed by background noise.
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Volume 6 July-September 2009
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The Five Dimensions
of Optical StorageCan 300 DVDs be squeezed into a single optical disc? Ground breaking research in the field of surface plasmon physics seems to suggest so.
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Refractive Index:
To the Limits and BeyondBeyond what is naturally possible... metamaterials offer new unexplored opportunities to manipulate light. Researchers show the possibility to enhance the index of refraction of a material beyond natural limits.
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Decoding the Code of LifeReading information stored by genes — also known as gene sequencing — is a vital task to the study of life itself. A radically new technology has set the stage for a revolution in the deciphering of DNA strands.
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The Ultracold Laser ShowIn nightclubs and live concerts, figures or text are often outlined by quickly steering one single laser beam. The same principle has now been applied to drawing potentials onto ultracold gases: a new technique that could soon make its way into laboratories.
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LEGO-OpticsWhen I hear, I forget; when I see, I remember; but only when I do, do I understand. When it is not possible to let students play with expensive optical setups, LEGO comes into play.
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Magical MetamaterialsMagic lies in the beauty of a powerful illusion. This is what the latest achievements in optics seem to suggest; metamaterials are now able to optically turn one object into another.
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Much More than a Contact LensSuper contact lenses which display background information onto your real world view seem like a gadget taken from the latest Spielberg movie. Thanks to a recently developed technique, this scenario may soon be real.
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A Brighter Future for LED Displays The displays of the future will be stretchable, twistable, deformable into any shape, and, perhaps more importantly, durable, efficient, and cheap. This is the promise of a new approach for manufacturing inorganic light emitting devices (ILEDs).
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From Fascination to RealityA deep fascination with the flight of birds inspired the invention of the airplane. A deep fascination with the stars inspired the invention of the telescope. What will fascination with metamaterials inspire?
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Volume 5 April-June 2009
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Thermal Images
at the NanoscaleHow would you measure the temperature of a nanoscopic object? How would you build a nano-thermometer? A new technique offers a solution.
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Spying on Quantum GasesA detective can only guess what mafia clans discuss inside their hideout. In a similar way, scientists usually only have indirect access to the behavior of trapped ultracold atomic gases. A novel microscopy technique now offers the possibility to directly observe what is happening inside the trap.
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The Ice Age of MicrofluidicsThe vision of shrinking a full lab into a chip is gradually becoming a reality. Now the possibility to dynamically generate microchannels with a laser spot in a slab of ice opens new possibilities towards a reconfigurable lab-on-a-chip.
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Another Brick in the NanowallScientists, just as nano-architects would, are exploring different ways to design nanostructures with fine control over shape and position. A brand-new approach now allows one to build 2D nanowalls up by laying them down brick by brick.
THE VIEWPOINT by Yaroslav Kartashov
Optical Lattice Solitons:
Guiding and Routing Light at WillOptical solitons are localized nonlinear excitations, which exist due to the mutual balance of diffraction and nonlinearity (in the case of spatial solitons) or dispersion and nonlinearity (in the case of temporal solitons). Moreover, they can propagate undistorted over indefinitely long distances. Being nonlinear objects, solitons may interact with each other, sometimes elastically, as if they were mechanical particles, or inelastically, when several solitons may merge together or give birth to new solitons after interaction. In the case of spatial solitons, the transverse modulation of the refractive index of the nonlinear material drastically affects their properties and affords new tools for the control of soliton propagation dynamics. Here, we review some possibilities for soliton control offered by periodic lattices and lattices produced by nondiffracting light beams.
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Forging Quantum TeamsA rowing team consists of a given number of athletes; adding or subtracting one would make it impossible for the team to compete. Recent experiments have shown that conditions exist under which quantum particles can also team up in a controlled number.
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Volume 4 January-March 2009
THE VIEWPOINT by Niek van Hulst
Many Photons get More
out of DiffractionNanoscopy, optical microscopy with 10-30 nm detail, has become a reality; in fact it has been chosen “Method of the year 2008” by Nature Methods [1]. We are all aware of the wave nature of light and the ensuing diffraction limit for resolution. So have the rules of physics been broken? What’s the trick and where’s the catch?
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Asking Twice, Yet Knowing NothingHave you ever been confused by an answer? Usually answers increase our knowledge, but latest experiments now show that asking two weak questions can leave us with less information than asking only one.
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Twisting the Knob of LightTuning nano-antennas may soon become as simple as tuning a radio to our favorite station — this is the new promise of nano-photonics.
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Pouring Oil on Troubled
Light-MomentumWhat happens when light enters a medium? Does it gain or lose momentum? More than 100 years after its initial formulation, this dilemma is now being revitalized by new experiments.
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Squeezing the Most
out of PhotonsScience relies on precise measurements. But how precise can a measurement be in principle? A new experiment shows a surprising new limit, together with a way around that limit.
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Images Worth a Thousand... Birefringent MoleculesAn image is worth a thousand words when describing complex physical phenomena such as temperature distributions, air flows and brain waves; a recently developed technique can now help us actually picture birefringent fluids at the nanoscale.
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Volume 3 October-December 2008
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A Nano-Firefly in the TrapFireflies emit pulses of light that allow them to be localized. Quantum dots behave in the same way albeit at the nanoscale. Now they can be manipulated using a relatively low power optical trap.
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An Ultraviolet Laser DiodeLaser diodes are the cheapest and most reliable lasers; nevertheless, they have hardly been able to emit in UV until now. This last barrier has now been broken, thus enabling potential and important applications, ranging from medicine to security issues.
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Make Two, Keep OneTo generate single photons remains a challenge, to have them in a pure, well-defined quantum state even more so. Now this is possible, thus paving the way for future quantum technologies and applications.
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Honey, I Shrunk the Microscope!Many of the everyday objects that we use are small enough to fit in our pockets. Take cell phones, with all their different accessories, for instance: are they also likely to come equipped with microscopes the size of a US quarter one day?
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Neurosurgery goes Nano
inside a ChipOne of the standing goals of neuroscience is to understand neurons at a cellular level, in vivo. A recent development takes this goal one step further by enabling axon cuts and the study of nerve regeneration on individual neurons in live organisms.
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Light's Ring-around-the-roseyCan light travel only in straight lines? A new kind of light beam that travels along circles may soon provide an interesting twist to this question.
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Visible and EntangledUntil recently, quantum behavior seemed to be the exclusive domain of tiny objects like atoms or electrons. However, entanglement of millimeter-sized membranes may soon come about, thus bringing quantum physics closer to our macroscopic world.
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The Spooky Physics
of EntanglementIn quantum physics, seemingly instantaneous correlations between distant objects can exist. Do these objects communicate? Probably not. However, if they do, their communication must be faster than the speed of light.
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Volume 2 August-September 2008
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The Runaway PolymerPolymer blends are allies in our everyday lives, but they can also become our worst enemies, if the polymers mix too much. It is now possible to track down the polymers' behavior at the micrometer scale.
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Cells in the Heart Dance
to the Tune of LightThe rhythmic beat of the heart keeps us alive. This beat is the result of an electrical mechanism, ingeniously put in place by nature, to control its cells. Surprisingly, ultrashort light pulses can do the same, virtually making these cells dance to the tune of light.
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Will Excitonic Circuits
Change Our Lives?Transistors that process signals by emitting flashes of light: is this the milestone of a technological revolution in computation? Whether this scenario is science or fiction, only the future will tell.
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Checking the Weather
of Alien PlanetsWhich planets in the universe are habitable? Check the weather!
It is now possible to know if extra-solar planets have earth-like weather
by analyzing the signature the weather leaves in the light scattered by these planets.
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The Polymer and
the Hummingbird’s WingHummingbirds are unique and amazing birds: they can hover mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings. Even more amazing is the fact that an artificial polymer, which oscillates when exposed to laser light, can flutter like a hummingbird’s wing.
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Towards Filming
Chemical ReactionsHigh-speed cameras can film a bullet passing through an apple. Chemical reactions, however, are far too fast even for the best cameras. Attosecond physics promises new approaches to study and manipulate them.
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Volume 1 June-July 2008
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The Disordered Quantum PrisonImagine a prison without walls, an open field where prisoners cannot leave simply because the field is not smooth. This is the idea behind Anderson Localization and has recently been observed in ultracold atomic gases.
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Rewinding Plasmons Back in TimeDay-to-day life common sense often does not apply in science. But sometimes it works better than any other approach. Scouts know that retracing back clear markers on the way can avoid getting lost, the same principle has been recently proved to work in nanoplasmonics.
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Super-Vision for Mr. ShrimpThere is an invisible world illuminated by polarized light. A world that has been disclosed to us only by the technological advances of the last decades. Surprisingly, various Australian shrimps can see it.
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Nanoscopy:
Shedding Light on LifeWhere traditional optical microscopy fails, a new tool, the nanoscope, overcomes the last barrier: the diffraction limit. It can explore the interior of cells in 3D, non-invasively, and with nanometric resolution.
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Time to Test PhysicsHow can we be sure about anything in nature? Without experiments, all physics is merely speculation. Optical clocks now allow us to test science with unprecedented accuracy, refining our understanding of the universe.
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The Single Molecule
Raman DetectivesWho would you hire to localize a single molecule? A new detective is now available! A nano-lightning rod can do the job. It can act as a single-molecule fingerprint detective with an unprecedented spatial resolution up to 15 nanometers.
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Random Lasers under ControlRandom lasers are generally difficult to control: they emit in every direction at once and in many different colors. Now, exploiting a fundamental physical phenomenon, it is possible to choose their color.