News tagged with optical device

Physicists store short movies in an atomic vapor

The storage of light-encoded messages on film and compact disks and as holograms is ubiquitous---grocery scanners, Netflix disks, credit-card images are just a few examples. And now light signals can be stored ...

Physics / Quantum Physics

created May 29, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (5) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Nowhere to hide: New device sees bacteria behind the eardrum

Doctors can now get a peek behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections, thanks to a new medical imaging device invented by University of Illinois researchers. The device could usher ...

Technology / Engineering

created May 29, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

'Metamaterials,' quantum dots show promise for new technologies

(Phys.org) -- Researchers are edging toward the creation of new optical technologies using "nanostructured metamaterials" capable of ultra-efficient transmission of light, with potential applications including ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created May 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (7) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Using quantum methods to read classical memories offers surprising advantages

(PhysOrg.com) -- Currently, the data stored in classical digital memories such as CDs, DVDs, and barcodes is read by classical light. But as a new study shows, using quantum light to read these classical memories ...

Physics / Quantum Physics

created Mar 14, 2011 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (31) | comments 5 | with audio podcast feature

Pentagon-backed 'time cloak' stops the clock (Update)

Pentagon-supported physicists on Wednesday said they had devised a "time cloak" that briefly makes an event undetectable.

Physics / General Physics

created Jan 04, 2012 | popularity 3.1 / 5 (64) | comments 43 | with audio podcast

Engineered materials: Custom-made magnets

A novel approach to designing artificial materials could enable magnetic devices with a wider range of properties than those now available. An international team of researchers have now extended the properties ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created May 24, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Invisibility cloak that generates virtual images gets closer to realization

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a twist on the concept of an invisibility cloak, researchers have designed a material that not only makes an object invisible, but also generates one or more virtual images in its place. ...

Physics / General Physics

created Apr 02, 2010 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (31) | comments 6 | with audio podcast feature

New 'metamaterial' practical for optical advances

(Phys.org) -- Researchers have taken a step toward overcoming a key obstacle in commercializing "hyperbolic metamaterials," structures that could bring optical advances including ultrapowerful microscopes, computers and solar ...

Physics / Condensed Matter

created May 15, 2012 | popularity 3.9 / 5 (7) | comments 5 | with audio podcast

Atomtronic transistor and diode could advance quantum computing

(PhysOrg.com) -- What if atoms could be used to perform the functions currently the province of electronic devices? The goal of atomtronics is to do just that by creating analogues to the common items found in electronic ...

Physics / Quantum Physics

created Oct 09, 2009 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (25) | comments 5 feature

Holodesk prototype puts life in computers (w/ video)

(PhysOrg.com) -- A research project at Microsoft Research Cambridge has brought forth a prototype called Holodesk, which lets you manipulate virtual objects with your hand. You literally "get your hands on" ...

Technology / Hi Tech & Innovation

created Oct 20, 2011 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (22) | comments 12 | with audio podcast report

Researchers develop graphene supercapacitor holding promise for portable electronics

(PhysOrg.com) -- Electrochemical capacitors (ECs), also known as supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, differ from regular capacitors that you would find in your TV or computer in that they store substantially ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Mar 15, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (25) | comments 30 | with audio podcast

Exotic metamaterials will change optics

Duke University engineers believe that continued advances in creating ever-more exotic and sophisticated man-made materials will greatly improve their ability to control light at will.

Physics / Optics & Photonics

created Mar 18, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (16) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Quantum mechanics enables perfectly secure cloud computing

Researchers have succeeded in combining the power of quantum computing with the security of quantum cryptography and have shown that perfectly secure cloud computing can be achieved using the principles of ...

Physics / Quantum Physics

created Jan 19, 2012 | popularity 4.2 / 5 (15) | comments 13 | with audio podcast

An optical diode made with silicon technology can be used for quantum information

(PhysOrg.com) -- Transistors, resistors, capacitors, and diodes. All of these are examples of common electrical circuit elements that can be found on a computer motherboard, for instance. Billions of transistors ...

Physics / Optics & Photonics

created Mar 23, 2012 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (5) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Transform a ball into a rock -- or make it invisible -- using transformation optics

(PhysOrg.com) -- Science fiction and fantasy tales are full of the ability to "cloak" characters with invisibility. Whether it is a spaceship with a cloaking device, or a young wizard with an invisibility ...

Physics / General Physics

created Jul 09, 2009 | popularity 3.2 / 5 (13) | comments 7 feature