Latest Research News
Research News RSS feedSound focuses liquid lens in an instant Oct 10, 2008
A liquid lens that provides instant focusing could bring high quality imaging to hand held devices such as mobile phones.
Europe moves forward with laser-fusion plans Oct 9, 2008
A €1bn project designed to show that laser-driven fusion can provide the world with energy in the future took its first steps this week.
Dual detection increases telescope precision Oct 8, 2008
An imaging system that contains two interferometers could help astronomers in South America to see much fainter sources than ever before with unprecedented precision.
Arcing Airy light guides particles Oct 7, 2008 1 comment
Airy light is being used to move particles and cells for the first time thanks to its propensity to follow a curved trajectory.
Practical Y-splitter channels plasmons Oct 3, 2008
Miniaturized photonic circuits could benefit from a cleverly designed Y-splitter that steers surface plasmon polaritons.
CPV solar simulator moves indoors Oct 2, 2008
optics.org speaks to the developers of the first solar simulator for concentrator photovoltaic systems.
Nanowire grid boosts LCD performance Oct 1, 2008
US researchers are working with an optoelectronics firm in Taiwan to bring brighter, thinner and cheaper LCDs to the market.
A simpler way to test quantum computers Sep 29, 2008
Quantum computers could be a step closer thanks to a more classical approach to testing optical components.
Optical mask boosts iris identification Sep 25, 2008
Iris recognition systems could become faster and more accurate thanks to a carefully designed phase mask, which increases the imaging depth of field.
VCSEL shrinks position sensor Sep 24, 2008
Combining a VCSEL and a photodetector array creates a compact and highly accurate position sensor.
Latest Research Analysis
Research Analysis RSS feedTerahertz success relies on research investment Oct 10, 2008
Terahertz radiation holds great promise for enhanced security systems, industrial inspection and sophisticated spectroscopy. Marie Freebody speaks to Hartmut Roskos to find out about the progress that has been made so far and the key challenges that remain.
Photonics21 unites the future of European photonics Sep 12, 2008
Photonics21 is a voluntary association of photonics professionals that has grown rapidly from a handful of participants to over 1000 members. Marie Freebody finds out more from the president of Photonics21 and CEO of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Martin Goetzeler.
Plasmonics propagates into new optical fields Sep 5, 2008
This month's topic is the promising field of plasmonics. Marie Freebody speaks to Niek van Hulst about the potential wealth of applications that are on the horizon.
Attosecond insight tracks electron motion Jul 25, 2008
Attosecond pulses could allow us to explore the ultimate limits of many modern technologies including semiconductor electronics and optoelectronics. Marie Freebody speaks to Reinhard Kienberger about the progress so far and what to expect in the future.
Ultrafast technology shifts to wafer scale Jul 11, 2008
Combining a saturable absorber and a gain section in a single semiconductor structure could lead to a new generation of compact ultrafast lasers. Jacqueline Hewett talks to ultrafast pioneer Ursula Keller of ETH Zurich, Switzerland, to find out about her latest idea.
Optical frequency combs span new wavelengths Jun 20, 2008
Optical frequency combs are breaking new ground in applications ranging from precision timing to breath analysis. Marie Freebody speaks to Jun Ye from JILA to find out more.
'Multidisciplinarians' are the future of photonics May 30, 2008 1 comment
Photonic enabling technologies are undergoing a second renaissance, argues Tom Baer, executive director of the Stanford Photonics Research Center in California, US. Joe McEntee asked him how industry and academia can take maximum advantage of the growth opportunities.
New growth for optical coherence tomography May 16, 2008
Optical coherence tomography is an emerging medical imaging technology with an ever growing list of applications. Marie Freebody speaks to James Fujimoto to find out more.
Metamaterials move beyond nature's limits May 9, 2008
Metamaterials are poised to impact every area of optics with their unusual and often surprising properties. Natasha Litchinitser and Vladimir Shalaev review recent progress and look at some of the potential applications of these fascinating materials
Optical clocks move towards miniaturization Apr 18, 2008
Optical atomic clocks have the potential to measure time with unprecedented precision. Marie Freebody speaks to experts John Kitching and Leo Hollberg to find out more.