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Photonics and LED Lighting News

New electron microscopy technique reveals complex spin structures at femtosecond timescales

Plasmons are collective oscillations of electrons in a solid and are important for a wide range of applications, such as sensing, catalysis, and light harvesting. Plasmonic waves that travel along the surface of a metal, called surface plasmon polaritons, have been studied for their ability to enhance electromagnetic fields.

Posted on 20 December 2024 | 6:09 pm

Team presents first demonstration of quantum teleportation over busy internet cables

Northwestern University engineers are the first to successfully demonstrate quantum teleportation over a fiberoptic cable already carrying internet traffic.

Posted on 20 December 2024 | 4:00 pm

Dual-comb method achieves first precise absolute distance measurement over 100 km

A team of physicists and engineers at China's Hefei National Laboratory has succeeded in conducting the first instance of precise absolute distance measurement over a path exceeding 100 km. The group has written a paper describing how they achieved such a feat and posted it on the arXiv preprint server.

Posted on 20 December 2024 | 2:50 pm

Compact on-chip polarimeter measures light polarization with high accuracy

Reliably measuring the polarization state of light is crucial for various technological applications, ranging from optical communication to biomedical imaging. Yet conventional polarimeters are made of bulky components, which makes them difficult to reduce in size and limits their widespread adoption.

Posted on 20 December 2024 | 12:20 pm

Purple diamond maser could one day amplify signals from deep space

UNSW engineers have developed and built a special maser system that boosts microwave signals—such as those from deep space—but does not need to be super-cooled.

Posted on 19 December 2024 | 5:38 pm

Optical spring enables programmable defect mode in new mechanical crystal

Mechanical crystals, also known as phononic crystals, are materials that can control the propagation of vibrations or sound waves, just like photonic crystals control the flow of light. The introduction of defects in these crystals (i.e., intentional disruptions in their periodic structure) can give rise to mechanical modes within the band gap, enabling the confinement of mechanical waves to smaller regions or the materials—a feature that could be leveraged to create new technologies.

Posted on 19 December 2024 | 1:00 pm

Miniaturized all-fiber photoacoustic spectrometer for intravascular gas detection rivals lab-based systems

Miniaturized spectroscopy systems that can detect trace concentrations at the parts-per-billion (ppb) level are of the utmost importance in applications ranging from environmental monitoring and industrial process control to biomedical diagnostics. However, the existing bench-top spectroscopy systems are too large, complex, and impractical for narrow-space use. Furthermore, the traditional laser spectroscopy techniques use bulky components like light sources, mirrors, detectors, and gas cells to detect light absorbed or scattered by a sample, which makes them unsuitable for scenarios calling for minimal invasiveness such as intravascular diagnosis.

Posted on 18 December 2024 | 10:03 pm

Nonlinear 'skin effect' unveiled in antiferromagnetic materials

A team of researchers has identified a unique phenomenon, a "skin effect," in the nonlinear optical responses of antiferromagnetic materials. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, provides new insights into the properties of these materials and their potential applications in advanced technologies.

Posted on 18 December 2024 | 8:49 pm

Physicists magnetize a material with light: Terahertz technique could improve memory chip design

MIT physicists have created a new and long-lasting magnetic state in a material, using only light.

Posted on 18 December 2024 | 4:00 pm

Hyperspectral imaging lidar system achieves remote plastic identification

Researchers have developed a new hyperspectral Raman imaging lidar system that can remotely detect and identify various types of plastics. This technology could help address the critical issue of plastic pollution in the ocean by providing better tools for monitoring and analysis.

Posted on 17 December 2024 | 9:14 pm

Researchers achieve near-unity quantum efficiency in 2D photon emitters

Leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computers can perform calculations at lightning-fast speeds, enabling them to solve complex problems faster than conventional computers. In quantum technology applications such as quantum computing, light plays a central role in encoding and transmitting information.

Posted on 17 December 2024 | 9:05 pm

Infrared quantum ghost imaging illuminates—but doesn't disturb—living plants

A study published in the journal Optica demonstrates live plant imaging of several representative plant samples, including the biofuel crop sorghum. By employing a novel detector, researchers obtained clear images of living sorghum plants with a light far dimmer than starlight. This advance enables imaging of delicate, light-sensitive samples, such as biofuel crops, without disturbing or damaging the plants.

Posted on 13 December 2024 | 3:33 pm

Bringing the power of tabletop precision lasers for quantum science to the chip scale

For experiments that require ultra-precise measurements and control over atoms—think two-photon atomic clocks, cold-atom interferometer sensors and quantum gates—lasers are the technology of choice, the more spectrally pure (emitting a single color/frequency), the better. Conventional lab-scale laser technology currently achieves this ultra low-noise, stable light via bulky, costly tabletop systems designed to generate, harness and emit photons within a narrow spectral range.

Posted on 12 December 2024 | 10:13 pm

Scientists control quantum states in new energy range

An international team of scientists led by Dr. Lukas Bruder, junior research group leader at the Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, has succeeded in producing and directly controlling hybrid electron-photon quantum states in helium atoms.

Posted on 12 December 2024 | 4:48 pm

Room-temperature superconductivity: Researchers uncover optical secrets of Bi-based superconductors

Copper-oxide (CuO2) superconductors, such as Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212), have unusually high critical temperatures. Optical reflectivity measurements of Bi2212 have shown that it exhibits strong optical anisotropy. However, this has not been studied through optical transmittance measurements, which can offer more direct insights into bulk properties.

Posted on 12 December 2024 | 4:41 pm

Deformable mirror technology takes laser welding and 3D printing to new heights

Yongcui Mi has developed a new technology that enables real-time shaping and control of laser beams for laser welding and directed energy deposition using laser and wire. The innovation is based on the same mirror technology used in advanced telescopes for astronomy.

Posted on 10 December 2024 | 9:49 pm

Scientists develop cost-effective lasers for extended short-wave infrared applications

Current laser technologies for the extended short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral range rely on expensive and complex materials, limiting their scalability and affordability. To address these challenges, ICFO researchers have presented a novel approach based on colloidal quantum dots in an Advanced Materials article. The team managed to emit coherent light (a necessary condition to create lasers) in the extended SWIR range with large colloidal quantum dots made of lead sulfide (PbS).

Posted on 10 December 2024 | 8:24 pm

10,000 times faster than traditional methods: Computational framework discovers experimental designs in microscopy

For human researchers, it takes many years of work to discover new super-resolution microscopy techniques. The number of possible optical configurations of a microscope—for example, where to place mirrors or lenses—is enormous.

Posted on 10 December 2024 | 3:20 pm

Room-temperature nanodevice that generates structured light shows promise for secure communication and advanced optics

Researchers have developed a tiny, room-temperature device that creates a special type of structured light called radially polarized photons, which are highly useful for secure communication, advanced imaging, and precision optical tools.

Posted on 10 December 2024 | 2:35 pm

Flexible metafiber device can generate optical skyrmions with designer topological textures and subwavelength features

Skyrmions, recognized for their intricate spin configurations, have captivated researchers as topological quasiparticles with vast potential in data storage and information technology. Recently, optical skyrmions—light-based counterparts of these quasiparticles—have emerged as a promising avenue for developing advanced optical systems with unique topological properties.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 10:30 pm

Time-symmetry concept boosts accuracy of radar and LiDAR systems

An international research team has developed a new technology that helps to improve the accuracy of radar applications and LiDAR systems. Among its possible uses, it could contribute to implementing autonomous cars and optimize environmental monitoring.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 9:55 pm

First electrically pumped, continuous-wave semiconductor laser advances silicon photonics integration

Scientists have developed the first electrically pumped continuous-wave semiconductor laser composed exclusively of elements from the fourth group of the periodic table—the "silicon group."

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 9:55 pm

Exploiting optical materials to capture hidden data through new imaging approach

In an era where autonomous navigation, medical diagnostics and remote sensing are rapidly evolving, traditional cameras—limited to capturing only the red, green, and blue (RGB) light intensities—are falling short of data demands. These cameras often miss essential spectral and polarization details crucial for identifying materials, distinguishing healthy from diseased tissue, providing unique 3D situational awareness and tracking environmental changes.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 9:51 pm

Team seeks to set new standards in high-resolution microscopy using a quantum optics trick

About 100 years ago, humanity learned to see with the help of electrons. In 1924, Louis de Broglie posited that—like light particles—electrons have wave properties. In 1927, the U.S. physicists Davisson and Germer provided experimental proof of this.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 8:09 pm

Quantum mechanical principle of strong coupling leads to better optical sensors

A team of researchers from the University of Cologne, Hasselt University (Belgium) and the University of St Andrews (Scotland) has succeeded in using the quantum mechanical principle of strong light-matter coupling for an optical technology that overcomes the long-standing problem of angular dependence in optical systems.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 4:50 pm

Self-organization in action: Exploring Abrikosov clusters in a liquid crystal droplet

Science often surprises us with its ability to connect seemingly unrelated phenomena. Have you ever stopped to marvel at how nature arranges itself into intricate patterns, like the spirals of a sunflower or the crystals in frost? These patterns are the result of self-organization, a phenomenon that continues to fascinate scientists and drive exploration.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 4:50 pm

Controlling polaritons at room temperature paves the way for high-speed computing

Researchers have found a way to manipulate special hybrid particles called polaritons—which behave like both light and matter—at room temperature. The breakthrough enables the use of polaritons in high-speed computing and data processing.

Posted on 9 December 2024 | 4:32 pm

Observing gain-induced group delay between multiphoton pulses generated in a spontaneous down-conversion source

Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) and spontaneous four-wave mixing are powerful nonlinear optical processes that can produce multi-photon beams of light with unique quantum properties. These processes could be leveraged to create various quantum technologies, including computer processors and sensors that leverage quantum mechanical effects.

Posted on 7 December 2024 | 12:30 pm

Experiment verifies a connection between quantum theory and information theory

Researchers from Linköping University together with colleagues from Poland and Chile have confirmed a theory that proposes a connection between the complementarity principle and entropic uncertainty. Their study is published in the journal Science Advances.

Posted on 6 December 2024 | 7:00 pm

X-ray data-enhanced computational method can determine crystal structures of multiphase materials

A joint research team led by Yuuki Kubo and Shiji Tsuneyuki of the University of Tokyo has developed a new computational method that can efficiently determine the crystal structures of multiphase materials, powders that contain more than one type of crystal structures. The method can predict the structure directly from powder X-ray diffraction patterns, the patterns of X-rays passing through crystals roughly the same size as instant coffee particles.

Posted on 5 December 2024 | 6:32 pm

PROJECT | Layered illumination heightens luxury in hotel and living spaces

Design firm MBLD used a variety of Lucent Lighting luminaires to sophisticated effect at Ritz-Carlton property in Jordan.

Posted on 6 November 2024 | 4:00 pm

LIGHTING FOR HEALTH | Clearing the obstacles to circadian lighting in healthcare

Circadian rhythm lighting could revolutionize healthcare. So why is it so hard to sell? SARAH MORGAN illuminates the challenges and flips the script.

Posted on 29 October 2024 | 1:30 pm

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Posted on 25 October 2024 | 5:17 pm

OUTDOOR LIGHTING | Light done right transforms public spaces

ALEX PRICE and GARY STEINBERG explain how well-designed LED lighting schemes can improve public safety, engage citizens, and boost local economies.

Posted on 23 October 2024 | 2:25 pm

INNOVATION | L-Prize Manufacturing & Installation Phase launches, with goal of accessibility to great lighting for all

L-Prize Phase III requirements and bonus points demonstrate DOE’s emphasis on practical advances for people and the planet, writes PNNL’s KATE HICKCOX.

Posted on 15 October 2024 | 8:32 pm

PROJECT | High-bay illumination brings style and comfort to library operations center

In an adaptive reuse project, Luminis pendants deliver soft direct and indirect illumination to balance the interior rooted in a more industrial style.

Posted on 2 October 2024 | 5:22 pm

SSL IN ACTION | Acclaim Lighting illuminates high-traffic walkway in Maitland, Florida

Pedestrian bridge features color-changing lighting to help ensure safe passage over busy interstate while adding beacon of radiant light on city skyline.

Posted on 2 October 2024 | 2:49 pm

LIGHT BITES | Lighting, controls, and design firms announce new personnel

New hires demonstrate the breadth of exciting opportunities in the North American lighting and controls market.

Posted on 17 September 2024 | 9:21 pm

DESIGN TOOLS | Simulation software optimizes indoor lighting efficiency

POOK VILLEGAS introduces the basics of lighting simulation software for designers who are just starting out.

Posted on 16 September 2024 | 9:17 pm

RETAIL APPLICATIONS | LED retrofits deliver ROI for large retailers

When properly planned, large retail projects can benefit from the improved illumination, energy savings, low maintenance, reduced downtime, and lower costs of LED lighting retrofits.

Posted on 11 September 2024 | 4:54 pm

UV STUDIES | Modeling methods to address office building clean air targets

PNNL researchers compare the effectiveness and energy use of GUV to other methods for meeting CDC and ASHRAE guidelines on indoor air quality.

Posted on 28 August 2024 | 4:59 pm

DARK SKIES | LUNA program seeks to advance acceptance of targeted outdoor lighting usage

DLC’s LUNA guidance gets a nod from the GSA, as the consortium shares study findings that elaborate on energy/cost benefits of qualified outdoor lighting.

Posted on 15 August 2024 | 10:31 pm

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Bringing circadian rhythm lighting and quantum dots together to advance wellbeing

Technology startup founder SARAH MORGAN opens a series about circadian lighting opportunities with a call for readers to vote on covered project findings.

Posted on 7 August 2024 | 6:17 pm

LIGHT BITES | New LED launches from Lumileds, Luminus, and Violumas

LED developers continue to push performance in compact emitters, digging in to refine thermal management and optical designs for a range of use cases.

Posted on 5 August 2024 | 8:03 pm

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Develop serviceable luminaires with support from Zhaga standards

ZHAGA CONSORTIUM members summarize how replaceable components prolong the useful life of luminaires and contribute to a circular economy.

Posted on 25 July 2024 | 1:34 pm

DarkSky teams with global cities association to fight light pollution

Any sustainability initiative must include protection of night skies, says the nonprofit, as it joins forces with LUCI.

Posted on 23 July 2024 | 4:56 pm

With Cree’s parent going all in on the AI business, how does Cree fit? (UPDATED)

A name change is coming at owner SGH to reflect the computing emphasis. SK Telecom invests $200 million for AI development, soon after SGH boss says LED industry will likely consolidate. Is Cree in or out?

Posted on 18 July 2024 | 9:17 pm

STANDARDS | Market transformation and standards groups ally to evolve guidance for energy-efficient lighting products

DLC program director LIESEL WHITNEY-SCHULTE condenses the core industry initiatives in which the DLC participates to inform standards development and product assessment criteria.

Posted on 17 July 2024 | 12:56 pm

PROJECT | Workhorse pendants balance ambience and task illumination in hospitality venue

High-bay lighting from Luminis contributes to a unique restaurant aesthetic in Earl Giles Distillery production space.

Posted on 16 July 2024 | 7:53 pm

New U.K. government must continue to fund study of LED headlight glare, says motoring group

RAC secured a commitment from the Conservative Party. With Labour now in power, there’s no guarantee the research will continue.

Posted on 15 July 2024 | 6:11 pm

CEO of Cree’s parent: LED industry will consolidate

Will owner SGH sell the venerable chip maker? Or is it looking to buy?

Posted on 11 July 2024 | 5:36 pm

INTERVIEW | Cree LED CEO says application-specific innovation is key to long-term strategy

Cree LED president JOE CLARK credits manufacturing outsourcing, application-specific advances, and a collaborative R&D facility with bolstering the LED developer through challenges.

Posted on 10 July 2024 | 12:00 pm

Sollum adds real-time growth data to its horticultural lighting system

The Montreal company partners with Pittsburgh’s Leaficient to enhance the SUN as a Service offering.

Posted on 9 July 2024 | 8:06 pm

New report: Light near bedtime has little effect on sleep

So say the authors of a new paper that is bound to stir controversy.

Posted on 5 July 2024 | 4:23 pm

Latest outdoor luminaires from Glamox tick multiple eco boxes

Recycled aluminum, reusability, and night sky protection all factor into a rugged new wall-mounted line.

Posted on 3 July 2024 | 3:49 pm

Fagerhult teams with metals company for aluminum recycling

Not all recycling is created equal. A pilot project involving a sprawling Oslo office park yields promising results.

Posted on 28 June 2024 | 12:00 pm