Category Physics

Silicon chips combine light and ultrasound for better signal processing

anthena

Researchers demonstrate long delays and narrow filtering of microwave signals in silicon-photonic circuits, based on surface acoustic waves. High-end wireless and cellular networks rely on light for the distribution of signals. The selective processing of such signals requires long delays: too long to support on a chip using light alone. A research team brought together light and ultrasonic waves to realize ultra-narrow filters of microwave signals, in silicon integrated circuits. The concept allows large freedom for filters design.

The continued growth of wireless and cellular data traffic relies heavily on light waves. Microwave photonics is the field of technology that is dedicated to the distribution and processing of electrical information signals using optical means...

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Future Sparkles for Diamond-based Quantum Technology

diamond
An artist’s impression of a diamond building block in a future photonic circuit. The red color emphasises the germanium vacancy centres emitting at the red spectral range and the ring illustrates the cavity. Image: supplied.

Two research breakthroughs are poised to accelerate the development of synthetic diamond-based quantum technology. Marilyn Monroe famously sang that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but they are also very popular with quantum scientists — with two new research breakthroughs poised to accelerate the development of synthetic diamond-based quantum technology, improve scalability, and dramatically reduce manufacturing costs.

While silicon is traditionally used for computer and mobile phone hardware, diamond has unique properties that make it particularly useful as...

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A LiDAR device the Size of a Finger now available

A LiDAR device the size of a finger now available
Credit: Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)

A nanophotonics-based LiDAR technology developed by a POSTECH research team was presented as an invited paper in Nature Nanotechnology, the leading academic journal in the field of nanoscience and nanoengineering.

In this paper, a POSTECH research team (led by Professor Junsuk Rho of the departments of mechanical engineering and chemical engineering, postdoctoral researcher Dr. Inki Kim of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Ph.D. candidate Jaehyuck Jang of the Department of Chemical Engineering) in cooperation with the French National Science Institute (CNRS-CRHEA) focused on the LiDAR device developed through studying the metamaterials based ultralight nanophotonics.

In addition, the paper introduces core nan...

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Artificial Intelligence makes great Microscopes better than ever

Green streaks shoot off of a blue, purple and pink bulbous shape against a dark background of circles and curvy lines.
A representation of a neural network provides a backdrop to a fish larva’s beating heart. Illustration credit: Tobias Wüstefeld.

Machine learning helps some of the best microscopes to see better, work faster, and process more data. Collaboration between deep learning experts and microscopy experts leads to an significantly improved data-intensive light-field microscopy method by using AI and ground-truthing it with light-sheet microscopy. The result is the power of light-field microscopy available to biologists in near real time vs. days or weeks, AND the expansion of biologists’ ability to use this microscopy for many things more things requiring the most detailed observation.

To observe the swift neuronal signals in a fish brain, scientists have started to use a technique calle...

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