Optical techniques are experimental and analytical methods that exploit the generation, manipulation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared ranges to probe material properties, structures, and dynamics. They encompass approaches such as absorption, fluorescence, Raman and elastic scattering measurements, interferometry, and imaging modalities that rely on well-defined light–matter interactions. These techniques enable quantitative characterization of refractive indices, absorption coefficients, energy level structures, molecular conformations, and nanoscale morphology, often with high spatial and temporal resolution. Optical techniques are widely integrated with spectroscopy, microscopy, and metrology platforms and can be implemented in both far-field and near-field configurations.
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.
Optics & Photonics
Dec 10, 2024
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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 ...
Optics & Photonics
Dec 9, 2024
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63
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 ...
Optics & Photonics
Dec 9, 2024
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57
An interdisciplinary collaboration between condensed-matter, quantum-optics and particle physicists has the potential to crack the search for low-mass dark matter. The proposed quantum detector builds on EQUS studies of elementary ...
General Physics
Dec 6, 2024
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130
In today's world, the fight against counterfeiting is more critical than ever. Counterfeiting affects about 3% of global trade, posing significant risks to the economy and public safety. From fake pharmaceuticals to counterfeit ...
Optics & Photonics
Dec 4, 2024
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40
Researchers at the University of Adelaide, as part of an international team, have developed an approach that makes advanced microscopy possible through an optical fiber thinner than a human hair.
Optics & Photonics
Dec 3, 2024
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51
Imagine placing an object under a microscope and pressing a button to rearrange the surface atoms with atomic-scale precision. This once sci-fi scenario is now a reality thanks to pioneering research published in Applied ...
Optics & Photonics
Dec 2, 2024
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61
In recent years, quantum physicists and engineers have been trying to develop quantum computer processors that perform better than classical computers on some tasks. Yet conclusive demonstrations proving that quantum systems ...
It's hard to tell when you're catching some rays at the beach, but light packs a punch. Not only does a beam of light carry energy, it can also carry momentum. This includes linear momentum, which is what makes a speeding ...
Optics & Photonics
Nov 26, 2024
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226
Cooling systems are an integral part of many modern technologies, as heat tends to wear down materials and decrease performance in several ways. In many cases, however, cooling can be an inconvenient and energy-intensive ...
Nanophysics
Nov 26, 2024
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