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Researchers demonstrate one-dimensional photonic crystal lasing with the aid of a cold atom cloud that provides both gain and distributed feedback. Distributed feedback is due to the periodic distribution of the atoms trapped in a one-dimensional lattice enabling Bragg reflection, and parametric gain is provided by four-wave mixing.
Researchers demonstrate a high-efficiency polymer solar cell whose device architecture is compatible with a large-scale roll-to-roll process. Enhanced charge collection in the inverted polymer solar cell design and certified power conversion efficiencies of around 7.4% are reported.
Researchers observe a continuous change in photon correlations from strong antibunching to bunching by tuning either the probe laser or the cavity mode frequency. These results, which demonstrate unprecedented strong single-photon nonlinearities in quantum dot cavity system, are explained by the photon blockade and tunnelling in the anharmonic Jaynes–Cummings model.
Researchers describe a mechanism capable of compressing fast and intense X-ray pulses through the rapid loss of crystalline periodicity. It is hoped that this concept, combined with X-ray free-electron laser technology, will allow scientists to obtain structural information at atomic resolutions.
Scientists demonstrate strong coupling between distant nanocavities separated by more than 100 wavelengths as well as dynamic control over the coupling state. The strong coupling state can be stopped on demand by irradiating one of the nanocavities with a control pulse, thus freezing the photon state.
Researchers investigate the optical phonon modes of bulk diamond at room temperature. Ultrafast Raman scattering measurements show an extended and highly non-classical state in the optical phonon modes of bulk diamond. The researchers also demonstrate a terahertz-bandwidth quantum memory based on transient ultrafast Raman scattering from the optical phonons.
Researchers demonstrate a reconfigurable integrated quantum photonic circuit. The device comprises a two-qubit entangling gate, several Hadamard-like gates and eight variable phase shifters. The set-up is used to generate entangled states, violate a Bell-type inequality with a continuum of partially entangled states and demonstrate the generation of arbitrary one-qubit mixed states.
This Review provides an introduction to the compensation of loss and amplification of surface plasmons in waveguides and resonators. Future challenges, including how to overcome the large losses present in plasmonic systems that offer strong electromagnetic confinement, are also discussed.
Using laser-driven spinning birefringent spheres to create a localized microfluidic flow, scientists show that they can control the direction of growth of individual nerve fibres. The approach is potentially useful for the development of nerve systems, as well as for nerve repair and regeneration.
The combination of microwave photonics and optics has advanced many applications in defence, wireless communications, imaging and network infrastructure. Rachel Won talks to Jianping Yao from the University of Ottawa in Canada about the importance of this growing field.
The popularity and demand for data-rich wireless communication is driving the deployment of radio-over-fibre technology and the success of the firms such as Zinwave, reports Nadya Anscombe.
