An optical coating like no other
For more than a century, optical coatings have been used to better reflect certain wavelengths of light from lenses and other devices or, conversely, to better transmit certain wavelengths through them. For example, the coatings on tinted eyeglasses.....»»
End of an era: Apple"s SuperDrive has finally sold out after 16 years
The 2008 MacBook Air didn't have an optical drive, so Apple sold a separate SuperDrive accessory, which has finally seemingly been discontinued from sale.RIP Apple USB SuperDriveVisit Apple's website, and you'll see the SuperDrive is sold out. That m.....»»
Chemical and transportation industries could boost with new catalyst coating
Coupling electrochemical conversion of the greenhouse gas CO2 with renewable electricity sources—such as solar and wind—promises green production of high-demand chemicals and transportation fuels. Carbon dioxide coupling products such as ethylene.....»»
Pyramid optical networks for unidirectional image magnification and demagnification
In Light: Science & Applications journal UCLA researchers introduce an innovative design for diffractive deep neural networks (D2NNs). This new architecture, termed Pyramid-D2NN (P-D2NN), achieves unidirectional image magnification and demagnificatio.....»»
Physicists use light to probe deeper into the "invisible" energy states of molecules
A new optical phenomenon has been demonstrated by an international team of scientists led by physicists at the University of Bath, with significant potential impact on pharmaceutical science, security, forensics, environmental science, art conservati.....»»
Nanoscale imaging provides insights into 2D and phase-change materials
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have developed cutting-edge nanoscale optical imaging techniques to provide unprecedented insights into the ultrafast carrier dynamics in advanced materials......»»
Newly created super-black wood can improve telescopes, optical devices and consumer goods
Thanks to an accidental discovery, researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a new super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening potential applications in fine jewelry, solar cells and precision optical devices......»»
Optical fibers fit for the age of quantum computing
A new generation of specialty optical fibers has been developed by physicists at the University of Bath in the UK to cope with the challenges of data transfer expected to arise in the future age of quantum computing......»»
NASA streams first 4K video from aircraft to space station and back
A team at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland has streamed 4K video footage from an aircraft to the International Space Station and back for the first time using optical (laser) communications. The feat was part of a series of tests on new tech.....»»
Tunable metasurface can control optical light in space and time, offering path to wireless communication channels
It is a scene many of us are familiar with: You're working on your laptop at the local coffee shop with maybe a half dozen other laptop users—each of you is trying to load websites or stream high-definition videos, and all are craving more bandwidt.....»»
New work sheds light on nonlinear encoding in diffractive optical processors based on linear materials
UCLA researchers have conducted an in-depth analysis of nonlinear information encoding strategies for diffractive optical processors, offering new insights into their performance and utility. Their study, published in Light: Science & Applications, c.....»»
AI-powered optical detection to thwart counterfeit chips
The semiconductor industry has grown into a $500 billion global market over the last 60 years. However, it is grappling with dual challenges: a profound shortage of new chips and a surge of counterfeit chips, introducing substantial risks of malfunct.....»»
New tractor beam technology could one day minimize biopsy trauma
Researchers at TMOS, the ARC Center of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems, have taken an important first step in the development of metasurface-enabled tractor beams—rays of light that can pull particles toward it, a concept that fi.....»»
New technique to diagnose cancer metastasis uses origami nanoprobes
Johns Hopkins engineers have created a new optical tool that could improve cancer imaging. Their approach, called SPECTRA, uses tiny nanoprobes that light up when they attach to aggressive cancer cells, helping clinicians distinguish between localize.....»»
Engineers build optical elements for the Coronagraph Instrument of the Roman Space Telescope
Engineers and scientists of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA), led by Oliver Krause, developed crucial optical elements for the Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) of the Roman Space Telescope and delivered them to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.....»»
New compact camera module for M5 MacBooks expected in 2025
Apple has reportedly commissioned one of its Vietnamese suppliers, Sunny Optical, to provide a new MacBook compact camera module (CCM) from next year. This is likely to be first used in an M5 MacBook Pro in late 2025. It’s a somewhat surprising.....»»
Neural networks made of light can make machine learning more sustainable
Scientists propose a new way of implementing a neural network with an optical system which could make machine learning more sustainable in the future. The researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have published their new metho.....»»
Apple has big camera upgrades lined up through iPhone 19 Pro
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims to have details about 2024's iPhone 16 Pro range, and how optical zoom will keep improving up to 2027's iPhone 19 Pro.Render of the iPhone 16 Pro and its camera systemCurrently, only the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a tetrap.....»»
iPhone 16 Pro to get same 5x zoom camera as Pro Max, bigger upgrades next year
The tetraprism camera available in the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max offers up to 5x optical zoom for the telephoto lens. The smaller 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro did not get this upgrade, retaining its 3x zoom. However, both the upcoming 2024 iPhone 16 Pr.....»»
Apple has big upgrades in mind for the cameras all the way through the iPhone 19 Pro
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims to have details about 2024's iPhone 16 Pro range, and how optical zoom will keep improving up to 2027's iPhone 19 Pro.Render of the iPhone 16 Pro and its camera systemCurrently, only the iPhone 15 Pro Max features a tetrap.....»»
iPhone 16 Pro to feature 5x optical zoom, Apple supplier teases
Every year, Apple introduces new upgrades and capabilities for the iPhone’s camera system. This year with the iPhone 16 lineup, those changes are set to be especially substantial. Just two months out from the iPhone 16’s expected debut, one k.....»»