Optics is the branch of physics that deals with the study of light and its interaction with matter, encompassing the behavior and properties of light, including its interactions with and transmission through different mediums. This field covers a wide array of phenomena, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and polarization. Optics is divided into two main branches: geometric optics, which treats light as rays that travel in straight lines and can be easily understood through the laws of reflection and refraction; and wave optics, which addresses the wave nature of light and can explain phenomena such as interference and diffraction that cannot be accounted for by geometric optics alone. The applications of optics are vast, influencing technologies such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, fiber optics, and a wide range of equipment used in various industries, from engineering and manufacturing to telecommunications and healthcare.
TMOS researchers have advanced the development of lightweight, portable tractor beams that could transform non-invasive medical procedures. Researchers at TMOS, the ARC Centre of Excellence…
Researchers have developed methods to explore and utilize superconductivity in non-equilibrium states, such as those induced by laser pulses, at temperatures much higher than traditional…
A groundbreaking study has demonstrated the use of liquid crystals for efficient and tunable spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), expanding the potential of quantum light sources…
The Kármán vortex street, an organized pattern of swirling vortices, demonstrates both aesthetic beauty and immense power, ranging from inspiring paintings in Bologne to influencing…
Research shows rapid electron and thermal transfers in layered materials, aiding optical tech. Researchers have identified new characteristics of layered low-dimensional materials that enable rapid…
Researchers state that finely crafted interfaces provide innovative design approaches that go beyond traditional materials, with potential applications in infrared optics, sensing, and other areas….
EPFL researchers have developed a compact, high-performance chip-scale erbium-doped laser, broadening potential applications in technology and medicine. Lasers have transformed the world since the 1960s…
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking thin infrared filter for night vision that can be integrated into everyday eyewear, allowing simultaneous viewing of the infrared and…
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers have developed the first topological quantum simulator device in the strong light-matter interaction regime that operates at room temperature, revolutionizing quantum…
New “metaholograms” could transform AR/VR technologies by enabling crosstalk-free, high-fidelity image projection with vastly increased information capacity. Researchers have developed a new type of holograms,…
Lasers created at the University of Rochester pave the way for new on-chip frequency comb generators. Optical frequency combs, devices essential for measuring light, have…
New molecular design rules discovered through laser-based spectroscopic techniques enable the uncoupling of electrons from atomic vibrations, leading to significantly improved performance in applications such…
What if your earbuds could do everything your smartphone can do already, except better? What sounds a bit like science fiction may actually not be…
New 3D printing method produces commercial grade microlenses with smooth surfaces, which could advance optical device design. Researchers in Canada have developed a new 3D…
Superradiant atoms offer a groundbreaking method for measuring time with an unprecedented level of precision. In a recent study published by the scientific journal Nature…
Scientists have developed a compact, single-shot, and complete polarization imaging system using metasurfaces. Think of all the information we get based on how an object…
A new record has been set for atom-based quantum computers. Scaling up quantum systems is essential for advancing quantum computing, as their benefits become more…
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers have unveiled a novel 2D material improving optical modulation for advanced systems and communications. Responding to the increasing demand for efficient,…