Optics and Photonics - Part 2
37 reportsOptical Frequency Comb Operates in Orbit for First Time
A space-qualified optical frequency comb developed by QuantX Labs has been activated and verified in low Earth orbit, demonstrating key engineering benchmarks for future optical atomic clock payloads in space
Structured light reveals new patterns for retinal health assessment
Researchers have used spin-orbit coupled light to enhance the visibility of Boehm's brushes-subtle optical patterns in peripheral vision-demonstrating a method that could enable non-invasive tests of retinal integrity using quantum optics techniques
NASA Tests Laser Link for Live 4K Video Transmission From the Moon
NASA's Artemis II mission used an experimental laser communications system to transmit live high-definition video from lunar orbit to Earth, testing a lower-cost, higher-bandwidth alternative to traditional radio links under real mission conditions
UCLA Team Integrates Terahertz Generation and Detection on One Chip
A UCLA research group has demonstrated a semiconductor chip that combines terahertz signal generation and detection, using quantum-well photodiodes and standard fabrication methods, potentially enabling scalable terahertz systems for communications and sensing
Hybrid Photon-Atom Quantum Blueprint Targets Error Correction Limits
Quantum Source Alpha Labs has released a detailed hardware proposal for a hybrid photon-atom quantum computing architecture, aiming to address scaling and error correction challenges that limit current quantum processors
Metasurface Grating Demonstrates Compact Solar Magnetic Field Mapping
A polarization-sensitive metasurface grating has matched conventional instruments in mapping solar magnetic fields, offering a route to smaller, simpler, and potentially more robust hardware for future space-based solar telescopes
Coupled Laser Array Reveals Nonlinear Effects in Percolation Transition
A team has experimentally realized percolation using a 100-laser array, uncovering how nonlinear interactions shift the critical threshold and alter cluster formation compared to idealized models
Part 2 of 2