Optics

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid telescope has been gradually losing its vision as layers of water molecules have frozen onto its mirrors. That’s bad news for a mission tasked with observing the dark universe using super-sensitive cameras, but the team behind the telescope has come up with a plan to keep Euclid warm in the cold depths of space.First Full-Color Images From Webb Space TelescopeEuclid launched in July 2023 to study the dark universe—the parts of our cosmos made up of dark energy and dark matter—using…

Scatter pattern produced by doughnut-shaped beams of light bouncing off of an object with a regularly repeating structure. Credit: Wang, et al., 2023, “Optica”To study nanoscale patterns in tiny electronic or photonic components, a new method based on lensless imaging allows for near-perfect high-resolution microscopy. Ptychography, a powerful form of lensless imaging, uses a scanning beam to collect scattered light for image reconstruction, facing challenges with periodic samples.To study nanoscale patterns in tiny…

Recent research has made significant strides in the development of optical neural networks, presenting a sustainable alternative to the energy and resource-intensive models currently in use. By leveraging light propagation through multimode fibers and a minimal number of programmable parameters, researchers have achieved comparable accuracy to traditional digital systems with significantly reduced memory and energy requirements. This innovative approach offers a promising pathway toward energy-efficient and highly…

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Vivo X100 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra took the telephoto camera crown from the S23 Ultra and managed to take on and beat the Google Pixel 8 Pro, too. Does that make it the undisputed camera zoom champion? To quote Yoda, there is another. The Vivo X100 Pro has a camera and lens system tuned by Leica, and we’ve already seen how impressive its portrait photography ability is, but it also has a clever telephoto camera. To find out if the Vivo…

The magnetic properties of a material can affect how it interacts with light. Credit: Ihar Faniayeu/University of GothenburgResearchers have discovered how to make an optical metamaterial that would underpin a variety of new technologies.A new approach has allowed researchers at Aalto University to create a kind of metamaterial that has so far been beyond the reach of existing technologies. Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties, which means…

Collective state computing, leveraging the Ising problem and light-based techniques, offers a novel approach to overcome traditional computing limitations. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers develop a computer from an array of VCSELs with optical feedback.In our data-driven era, solving complex problems efficiently is crucial. However, traditional computers often struggle with this task when dealing with a large number of interacting variables, leading to inefficiencies such as the von Neumann bottleneck. A new type of…

Researchers at Paderborn University have pioneered a method using photon detectors for homodyne detection to characterize optical quantum states accurately. This technique is vital for advancing quantum information processing and quantum computing. Credit: SciTechDaily.comScientists achieve breakthrough in quantum optics with photon detector-based method, paving the way for improved quantum computing.Scientists at Paderborn University have used a new method to determine the characteristics of optical, i.e. light-based,…

Researchers have developed a new type of lens that uses a spiral-shaped surface to maintain a clear focus at different distances in varying light conditions. Credit: Laurent GalinierScientists have created a spiral-shaped lens capable of maintaining sharp focus across various distances under different lighting conditions. This innovative lens functions similarly to progressive lenses designed for vision correction, yet it eliminates the common distortions associated with such lenses. This breakthrough could significantly…

February 21, 20244min readA new technique to make electronic fibers could help solve wearable technology’s flexibility problemBy Payal DharHundreds of metres long high-performance flexible semiconductor fibres collected on a cylindrical bobbin, together with some preforms after the manufacturing process. A team of electrical engineers and fabrics scientists has invented a hat that tells its wearer when it’s safe to cross the road. The researchers’ proof-of-concept beanie is knitted with germanium fibers that can sense…

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a groundbreaking flexible optical sensor that works even when crumpled. Using carbon nanotube photodetectors and wireless Bluetooth technology, this sensor enables non-invasive analysis and holds promise for advancements in imaging, wearable technology, and soft robotics. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers at Osaka University have created a soft, pliable, and wireless optical sensor using carbon nanotubes and organic transistors on an ultra-thin polymer film. This innovation…