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    Category Physics

    A Leap Forward for Terahertz Lasers

    January 27, 2022, Categories  Physics

    New laser could be used for applications in imaging, security, or communications. Researchers have taken a major step towards bringing terahertz frequencies out of their hard-to-reach region of the electromagnetic spectrum and into everyday applications. In a new paper, the researchers demonstrate a first-of-its-kind terahertz laser that is compact, operates at room temperature and can produce 120 individual frequencies spanning the 0.25 – 1.3 THz, far more range than previous terahertz sources.

    The laser could be used in a range of applications, such as skin and breast cancer imaging, drug detection, airport security and ultrahigh-capacity optical wireless links.

    The research, conducted by a team from at the Harvard John A...

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    Harnessing Noise in Optical Computing for AI

    January 26, 2022, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics

    An illustration of the UW ECE-led research team’s integrated optical computing chip and “handwritten” numbers it generated. The chip contains an artificial neural network that can learn how to write like a human in its own, distinct style. This optical computing system uses “noise” (stray photons from lasers and thermal background radiation) to augment its creative capabilities. The system is also approximately 10 times faster than comparable conventional digital computers and more energy efficient, helping to put AI and machine learning on a path toward environmental sustainability. Illustration by Changming Wu

    A research team has developed an optical computing system for AI and machine learning that not only mitigates the noise inherent to optical computing but actually use...

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    New Efficiency Record for Solar Cell Technology

    January 25, 2022, Categories  Physics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Solar cells made using perovskite and organic materials are flexible, light, low cost and ultra-thin. They are ideal for powering vehicles, boats, and more.

    A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has set a new record in the power conversion efficiency of solar cells made using perovskite and organic materials. This technological breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, low cost and ultra-thin photovoltaic cells which are ideal for powering vehicles, boats, blinds and other applications.

    “Technologies for clean and renewable energy are extremely important for carbon reduction. Solar cells that directly convert solar energy into electricity are among the most promising clean energy technologies...

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    Scientists make First Detection of Exotic X Particles in Quark-Gluon Plasma

    January 25, 2022, Categories  Physics, Astronomy/Space

    Caption:Physicists have found evidence of rare X particles in the quark-gluon plasma produced in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The findings could redefine the kinds of particles that were abundant in the early universe.
    Credits:Image: iStockphoto

    The findings could redefine the kinds of particles that were abundant in the early universe. Physicists have found evidence of X particles in the quark-gluon plasma produced in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, based near Geneva, Switzerland.

    In the first millionths of a second after the Big Bang, the universe was a roiling, trillion-degree plasma of quarks and gluons – elementary particles that briefly glommed together in countless combinations before cooling and settling int...

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