Optics and Photonics News RSS

Ultra-Black Coating Reduces Satellite Glare

Susan Curtis — 2026-07-09T13:58:31

A spray paint containing nanostructured pigments could reduce the brightness of satellites in the night sky.

New Precise and Accurate Lidar Scheme

Edwin Cartlidge — 2026-07-08T11:05:44

A pair of frequency combs that size up small objects from a distance could potentially be used in precision manufacturing.

Solid-State Harvesting of UV

Patricia Daukantas — 2026-07-01T14:36:01

New solid material converts visible light to into high-energy UV at sunlight intensity.

Light Switch “Wakes Up” Sleeping Cancer Cells

Meeri Kim — 2026-06-26T11:09:10

New device could prevent relapse by making dormant cells vulnerable to treatment.

Artificial Eye Sees Light and Shade

Susan Curtis — 2026-06-25T11:19:43

Adaptive solution could help autonomous robots and self-driving cars to navigate real-life conditions.

Ultra-Intense Laser Sharpens Electron Microscopy

Edwin Cartlidge — 2026-06-24T13:10:55

Novel wave plate enhances contrast in images of tiny proteins.

Metasurface Enables Advance in Solar Telescope

Meeri Kim — 2026-06-17T13:37:46

The study represents one of the first demonstrations of such a device used in a practical scientific application.

A Little Physics Improves AI Optical Design

Edwin Cartlidge — 2026-06-15T11:43:38

New method reduces the time that neural networks need to design photonic components.

Ultrafast Chip Brings the Energy

Susan Curtis — 2026-06-11T13:43:39

Integrated laser delivers ultrashort pulses with intensities rivaling those from tabletop solutions.

Light Makes Lignin Useful

Patricia Daukantas — 2026-06-10T13:02:54

A photocatalyst can break down the paper by-product to make vanillan and an alternative to plastic.

Electrically Tuning Second-Harmonic Generation

Meeri Kim — 2026-06-04T12:08:04

Microscopic nonlinear light source is tens of times smaller than most preexisting devices.

Solar-Powered Desalination Without the Drawbacks

Patricia Daukantas — 2026-06-03T14:09:40

New technique separates salt and other valuable minerals from ocean water.

Lunar Craters Offer Ideal Home for Ultrastable Lasers

Susan Curtis — 2026-05-28T10:33:40

Deploying such devices on the moon could support critical infrastructure for future lunar landings.

Life Under a Dozen Microscopes

Edwin Cartlidge — 2026-05-27T11:09:57

New device improves our view of the living world by combining multiple forms of microscopy.

Transplanting Photosynthetic Machinery into the Eye

Meeri Kim — 2026-05-21T10:25:08

The technology can supply photosynthetically generated metabolites as a treatment for dry eye disease in mammals.

A Handheld, AI-Powered Microscope for Cancer Screening

Patricia Daukantas — 2026-05-20T14:32:37

Compact, cost-effective device uses deep learning to optimize in vivo imaging ability.

Chemicals Switch on “Living Light”

Susan Curtis — 2026-05-14T12:15:13

Controlling and sustaining the glow emitted by living organisms opens a route toward practical devices.

Inertial Fusion’s Magnetic Noise Comes Under Scrutiny

Edwin Cartlidge — 2026-05-12T13:21:02

Simulations show that poorly understood fields are triggered automatically at a given laser intensity.

Measuring Forces Inside Living Cells

Meeri Kim — 2026-05-07T10:13:16

A flexible microlaser made from a silicone-based elastomer is suitable for a range of biomechanical experiments.

Keeping Microscope Images in Focus

Patricia Daukantas — 2026-05-06T14:33:10

New technique autofocuses microscopy pictures and boosts their depth of field.