Photons are elementary particles that represent the quantum of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation. They are unique in that they have zero mass, do not decay spontaneously, and always move at the speed of light in a vacuum. Photons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, a duality that is fundamental to quantum mechanics. They are emitted in many natural processes, such as during electron transitions in atoms, and are essential for technologies like lasers, photodetectors, and solar cells. In addition to carrying energy, photons also carry momentum and can exert pressure upon objects, an effect exploited by technologies such as solar sails in space exploration.
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…
Researchers have recently utilized skipper charge-coupled devices (CCDs) on the 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope to capture the first astronomical spectrum using this technology. Recent…
What Are Photons? Photons are the smallest possible particles of electromagnetic energy and therefore also the smallest possible particles of light. Photons can travel at…
A research team is studying how light moves through special circuits called optical waveguides, using a concept called topology. They’ve made an important discovery that…
Researchers at the University of Bonn have demonstrated that super photons, or photon Bose-Einstein condensates, conform to fundamental physics theorems, enabling insights into properties that…
A new study of photons in quantum computing made a surprising discovery: When photons collide, they create vortices. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science…
New studies show photon polarization is constant in varying environments, potentially improving plasma heating methods for fusion energy advancement. Light, both literally and figuratively, pervades…
Researchers demonstrated a new method of boson sampling using ultracold atoms, marking a significant advancement over previous techniques. Utilizing optical tweezers and advanced cooling, the…
Researchers at JILA and NIST have developed a technique to mitigate atomic recoil in quantum measurements by using momentum-exchange interactions within a cavity…
Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device…
Scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have introduced a groundbreaking concept known as “supercritical coupling,” which significantly boosts the efficiency of photon upconversion….
Scientists have developed “quantum ping-pong”: Using a special lens, two atoms can be made to bounce a single photon back and forth with high precision….
The team at HZDR suggests improvements for an experiment aimed at investigating the boundaries of physics. Absolutely empty – that is how most of us…
Having more pixels could advance everything from biomedical imaging to astronomical observations. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and their colleagues…
New technique accomplishes efficient recognition and real-time control of angular momentum modes. Rotating objects carry angular momentum; this fact extends even to the tiniest of…
A new technique based on advanced camera technology demonstrates a rapid and efficient way to reconstruct the full quantum state of entangled particles. Researchers from…
New approach is a step toward using single photons in quantum communication and information processing. Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a…
A cutting-edge experiment has unveiled the quantum dynamics underlying one of nature’s most essential processes. Using a complex cast of metal-studded pigments, proteins, enzymes, and…