Novel algorithm proposed for inversion of aerosol optical depth
A research team led by Prof. Sun Xiaobing from the Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has proposed an optimal inversion algorithm based on combined utilizatio.....»»
Plasmonic modulators could enable high-capacity space communication
Researchers have achieved data rates as high as 424Gbit/s across a 53-km turbulent free-space optical link using plasmonic modulators—devices that use special light waves called surface plasmon polaritons to control and change optical signals. The.....»»
Unlocking oceanic mysteries: Satellites shed light on aerosol layer height
Aerosol layer height (ALH) is a key parameter for assessing aerosol impacts on weather, climate, and atmospheric correction. Accurate ALH retrieval improves the understanding of aerosol-cloud interactions and aids in surface air quality monitoring......»»
The Earth"s inner core is an enduring mystery: Here"s how researchers are starting to solve it
Deep beneath our feet, at a staggering depth of over 5,100km, lies Earth's inner core—a solid ball of iron and nickel that plays a crucial role in shaping the conditions we experience on the surface. In fact, without it we'd be unlikely to even exi.....»»
Algorithm maps protein degradation patterns to improve infection diagnosis and treatment
Peptides are small fragments of proteins, mainly found in the skin and mucous membranes. Some peptides act as a barrier, protecting the body against infections by fighting off microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, while others p.....»»
Beyond point-to-point triangulation: Dynamic 3D imaging under global illumination
As the "eyes of industry," 3D measurement technology provides comprehensive, accurate, and reliable 3D information for high-end precision manufacturing. Optical measurement methods, such as structured light projection, have been widely adopted in var.....»»
Scientists demonstrate octave-spanning soliton frequency combs on thin-film lithium niobate
The invention of optical frequency combs revolutionized frequency metrology and time-keeping. Miniaturization of such combs onto photonic chips, primarily leveraging the microresonator Kerr soliton frequency comb, expands on these functionalities by.....»»
Licking an ice lolly at school might make a good memory, but this isn"t the secret to learning science
A group of scientists, including people from the Royal Society of Chemistry, recently proposed that experiences such as licking an ice lolly should be part of the science curriculum. By licking a lolly and seeing how it melts—the idea goes—childr.....»»
California moves ahead with self-driving trucks despite labor opposition
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has rolled out proposed regulations for self-driving trucks, a move that comes one day after the state's legislature advanced an anti-AV trucking bill......»»
Study: Giant ultrafast dichroism and birefringence with active nonlocal metasurfaces
The fine and efficient control of the properties of light at ultrafast speed down to the picosecond timescale is a challenging task, crucial for many scientific applications and technologies. For instance, in free-space optical links, manipulating on.....»»
High-refractive-index-modulation nanocomposites for augmented reality displays
Holographic optical elements (HOEs) are essential in augmented reality (AR) displays, providing benefits such as design flexibility and improved optical efficiency. However, current materials' limited refractive index modulation hampers performance,.....»»
Spin-controlled generation of a complete polarization set with randomly interleaved plasmonic metasurfaces
Optical metasurfaces are finely crafted two-dimensional artificial nanostructures composed of meticulously designed arrays of ultrathin artificial atoms. These surfaces possess capabilities beyond natural materials, enabling multifunctional control o.....»»
Advances in optical micronanofiber-enabled tactile sensors and soft actuators
A perfect combination of fiber optics and micro/nanotechnology, optical micro/nanofiber (MNF) is a new type of micro/nano-waveguide structure developed in recent years......»»
The impact of human activity on air quality: A look at aerosol pollution before and after the Industrial Revolution
A recent study led by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences sheds new light on how human activities have altered the composition of the atmosphere over time, particularly focusing on secondary organic aerosols (SOA)......»»
New Sisyphus cooling technique could enhance precision of atomic clocks
Researchers in the Neutral Atom Optical Clocks Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), University of Colorado and Pennsylvania State University recently devised a new sub-recoil Sisyphus cooling technique that could help t.....»»
Algorithm raises new questions about Cascadia earthquake record
The Cascadia subduction zone in the Pacific Northwest has a history of producing powerful and destructive earthquakes that have sunk forests and spawned tsunamis that reached all the way to the shores of Japan......»»
OpenAI gets called out for opposing a proposed AI safety bill
"When actual regulation is on the table, he opposes it," the researchers wrote of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman......»»
How to prioritize data privacy in core customer-facing systems
Evolving global data privacy regulations are keeping marketers on their toes. In April 2024, the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) was introduced in the Senate. The proposed bill would create a federal consumer privacy framework akin to the GDPR, wh.....»»
Researchers propose inexpensive 2.2-kilometer telescope that could make exoplanet movies
Can a kilometer-scale telescope help conduct more efficient science, and specifically for the field of optical interferometry? This is what a study recently posted to the preprint server arXiv hopes to address......»»
Novel features of r-process nucleosynthesis shed light on origin of heavy elements
In a study published in The Astrophysical Journal, scientists have proposed the features of the rapid neutron capture process (r-process) nucleosynthesis in a novel scenario: common envelop jet supernovae (CEJSNe). The study sheds new light on the or.....»»
At Honeymoon Island State Park, urgency grows to defend "the real Florida"
For Terry Fortner, the fight to save Honeymoon Island State Park from proposed development is personal. Nearly 130 years ago, just offshore from here, her grandmother Myrtle Scharrer was born in a pioneer home on Caladesi Island. She lived for decade.....»»