Featured
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Creation of memory–memory entanglement in a metropolitan quantum network
A metropolitan-area quantum network based on the generation of pairwise entanglement is formed by three atomic quantum memories connected to a central photonic server.
- Jian-Long Liu
- , Xi-Yu Luo
- & Jian-Wei Pan
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Article |
Label-free detection and profiling of individual solution-phase molecules
Enhanced light–molecule interactions in high-finesse fibre-based Fabry–Pérot microcavities are used to detect and profile individual unlabelled solution-phase biomolecules, leading to potential applications in the life and chemical sciences.
- Lisa-Maria Needham
- , Carlos Saavedra
- & Randall H. Goldsmith
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News & Views |
Vibration isolation could boost performance of near-infrared organic LEDs
The development of high-performance organic LEDs and other devices that emit near-infrared light has been hindered by seemingly fundamental features of the light-emitting molecules. A potential solution has been identified.
- Margherita Maiuri
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Research Briefing |
Quantum tunnelling of electrons brings ultrafast optical microscopy to the atomic scale
The oscillating electromagnetic fields that carry light can cause electrons to tunnel back and forth through a potential energy barrier. Remarkably, this alternating current can coherently emit measurable light waves — an unexpected process that can be exploited to build an optical microscope that undercuts existing spatial and temporal limitations.
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| Open AccessLithium tantalate photonic integrated circuits for volume manufacturing
Electro-optical photonic integrated circuits based on lithium tantalate perform as well as current state-of-the-art ones using lithium niobate but the material has the advantage of existing commercial uses in consumer electronics, easing the problem of scalability.
- Chengli Wang
- , Zihan Li
- & Tobias J. Kippenberg
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Article
| Open AccessFull-colour 3D holographic augmented-reality displays with metasurface waveguides
We develop a method for providing high-quality, holographic, three-dimensional augmented-reality images in a small form factor suitable for incorporation in eyeglass-scale wearables, using high-refraction-index glass waveguides with nanoscale metasurfaces, and incorporating artificial intelligence.
- Manu Gopakumar
- , Gun-Yeal Lee
- & Gordon Wetzstein
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All-optical subcycle microscopy on atomic length scales
All-optical subcycle microscopy is achieved on atomic length scales, with picometric spatial and femtosecond temporal resolution.
- T. Siday
- , J. Hayes
- & R. Huber
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Article
| Open AccessDecoupling excitons from high-frequency vibrations in organic molecules
A molecular design strategy for reducing the vibration-induced non-radiative losses in emissive organic semiconductors is realized by decoupling excitons from high-frequency vibrations.
- Pratyush Ghosh
- , Antonios M. Alvertis
- & Akshay Rao
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News & Views |
Robust optical clocks promise stable timing in a portable package
A highly precise timekeeping instrument has been adapted for the real world. The compact and robust device is smaller than its commercial counterparts and performs comparably in the laboratory and aboard a naval ship.
- Bonnie L. S. Marlow
- & Jonathan Hirschauer
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News |
Atomic clock keeps ultra-precise time aboard a rocking naval ship
The best timepieces tend to be fragile, but a device based on iodine threads the needle between precision and practicality.
- Elizabeth Gibney
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Article |
Valleytronics in bulk MoS2 with a topologic optical field
We develop an optical method that can set and read the state of electrons in the valley polarization of bulk transition metal dichalcogenide semiconductors, with potential utility as digital storage at quantum coherent timescales and application in quantum computing.
- Igor Tyulnev
- , Álvaro Jiménez-Galán
- & Jens Biegert
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Digital colloid-enhanced Raman spectroscopy by single-molecule counting
Research published in Nature shows that surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy carried out with colloids can quantify a range of molecules down to concentrations at the femtomolar level.
- Xinyuan Bi
- , Daniel M. Czajkowsky
- & Jian Ye
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Article
| Open AccessLight-wave-controlled Haldane model in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride
We introduce strong tailored light-wave-driven time-reversal symmetry breaking in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride, realizing a sub-laser-cycle controllable analogue of the topological model of Haldane and inducing non-resonant valley polarization.
- Sambit Mitra
- , Álvaro Jiménez-Galán
- & Shubhadeep Biswas
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Research Briefing |
Controlling single polyatomic molecules in an optical array for quantum applications
Applications from quantum computing to searches for physics beyond the standard model could benefit from precision control of polyatomic molecules. A method of confining and manipulating single polyatomic molecules held in tightly focused ‘optical tweezer’ laser arrays at ultracold temperatures could boost progress on all those fronts.
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Phononic switching of magnetization by the ultrafast Barnett effect
Ultrafast light-induced driving of phonons at resonance in a substrate facilitates the permanent reversal of the magnetic state of a material mounted on it.
- C. S. Davies
- , F. G. N. Fennema
- & A. Kirilyuk
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News & Views |
Electrons flip a switch on optical communications
Clever manipulation of electrons has enabled scientists to change a key property of light emitted by a device using electrically controlled magnetization. The method could lead to stable and energy-efficient information transfer.
- Satoshi Hiura
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Controlling the helicity of light by electrical magnetization switching
The helicity of light from a light-emitting diode can be electrically controlled by spin–orbit torque effects, enabling a seamless integration of magnetization dynamics with photonics.
- Pambiang Abel Dainone
- , Nicholas Figueiredo Prestes
- & Yuan Lu
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Analysis
| Open AccessA figure of merit for efficiency roll-off in TADF-based organic LEDs
Efficiency roll-off in a wide range of TADF OLEDs is analysed and a figure of merit proposed for materials design to improve efficiency at high brightness, potentially expanding the range of applications of TADF materials.
- S. Diesing
- , L. Zhang
- & I. D. W. Samuel
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Evidence for chiral graviton modes in fractional quantum Hall liquids
Through inelastic light scattering chiral spin-2 long-wavelength magnetorotons are observed, revealing chiral graviton modes in fractional quantum Hall states and aiding in understanding the quantum metric impacts in topological correlated systems.
- Jiehui Liang
- , Ziyu Liu
- & Aron Pinczuk
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All-optical frequency division on-chip using a single laser
We demonstrate an all-optical, mode-locking, Kerr-comb frequency division method that provides a chip-scale microwave source that is extremely versatile, accurate, stable and has ultralow noise, using only a single continuous-wave laser.
- Yun Zhao
- , Jae K. Jang
- & Alexander L. Gaeta
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| Open AccessIntegrated optical frequency division for microwave and mmWave generation
A miniaturized optical frequency division system that could transfer the generation of microwaves, with superior spectral purity, to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-compatible integrated photonic platform is demonstrated showing potential for large-volume, low-cost manufacturing for many applications.
- Shuman Sun
- , Beichen Wang
- & Xu Yi
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Integrated frequency-modulated optical parametric oscillator
An integrated device that combines optical parametric oscillation and electro-optic modulation in lithium niobate creates a flat-top frequency-comb-like output with low power requirements.
- Hubert S. Stokowski
- , Devin J. Dean
- & Amir H. Safavi-Naeini
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| Open AccessNear-ultraviolet photon-counting dual-comb spectroscopy
We demonstrate a photon-counting approach that extends the unique advantages of spectroscopy with interfering frequency combs into regions where nonlinear frequency conversion tends to be very inefficient, providing a step towards precision broadband spectroscopy at short wavelengths and extreme-ultraviolet dual-comb spectroscopy.
- Bingxin Xu
- , Zaijun Chen
- & Nathalie Picqué
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| Open AccessPhotonic chip-based low-noise microwave oscillator
We leverage advances in integrated photonics to generate low-noise microwaves with an optical frequency division architecture that can be low power and chip integrated.
- Igor Kudelin
- , William Groman
- & Scott A. Diddams
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Research Briefing |
Measuring the quantum vibrations of a small drum at room temperature
A combination of technical improvements in noise mitigation enabled the observation of the quantum force of light on a millimetre-scale drum at room temperature. This experimental system permits the drum’s position to be measured with an accuracy close to the quantum limit.
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Integrated lithium niobate microwave photonic processing engine
An integrated lithium niobate photonic processing engine performs integration and differentiation of analogue signals, solves ordinary differential equations, generates ultra-wideband microwave signals and detects edges in images.
- Hanke Feng
- , Tong Ge
- & Cheng Wang
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A 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capacity
Optical nanoscale disk memory with petabit-level capacity is developed by extending the recording architecture to three dimensions with hundreds of layers, and exabit-level storage can be achieved by stacking the disks into arrays.
- Miao Zhao
- , Jing Wen
- & Min Gu
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News & Views |
Nanotraps boost light intensity for future optical devices
A method for configuring light-trapping devices promises better optical nanodevices by amplifying light and enhancing the emission efficiency of luminescent nanomaterials — without the need for complex technology upgrades.
- Kirill Koshelev
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Nature Podcast |
Why are we nice? Altruism’s origins are put to the test
Research suggests a combination of behaviours underlie the evolution of human cooperation, and researchers make an optical disc with enormous storage capacity.
- Benjamin Thompson
- & Nick Petrić Howe
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Room temperature operation of germanium–silicon single-photon avalanche diode
A germanium–silicon single-photon avalanche diode operated at room temperature shows a noise-equivalent power improvement over the previous Ge-based single-photon avalanche diodes by 2–3.5 orders of magnitude.
- Neil Na
- , Yen-Cheng Lu
- & Shu-Lu Chen
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Monolithic silicon for high spatiotemporal translational photostimulation
A silicon-based electrode system is described that allows tunable spatiotemporal photostimulation of cardiac systems, with the optoelectronic capabilities of these devices being demonstrated in mouse, rat and pig heart models.
- Pengju Li
- , Jing Zhang
- & Bozhi Tian
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Article
| Open AccessDirective giant upconversion by supercritical bound states in the continuum
An experimental design consisting of a photonic-crystal nanoslab covered with upconversion nanoparticles demonstrates the phenomenon of supercritical coupling, resulting in giant enhancement of upconversion by photonic bound states in the continuum.
- Chiara Schiattarella
- , Silvia Romano
- & Gianluigi Zito
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Research Briefing |
Ultrafast, nanoscale control of electrical currents using light
Tailoring symmetries in an innovative class of optoelectronic metasurface produces a rich landscape of tunable current patterns down to the nanoscale. These materials provide opportunities for ultrafast light-controlled charge flows that could have applications in terahertz science, information processing and other realms.
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Research Briefing |
Solitary light pulses on a chip-sized laser open up analytical applications
Self-reinforcing light pulses known as solitons are fundamental structures in wave dynamics. Previously, solitons could be produced only by bench-top lasers, but they can now also be generated using chip-sized mid-infrared lasers. This innovation enables the development of portable, efficient tools for use in spectroscopy, environmental sensing and medical diagnostics.
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| Open AccessLight-driven nanoscale vectorial currents
Vectorial optoelectronic metasurfaces are described, showing that light pulses can be used to drive and direct local charge flows around symmetry-broken plasmonic nanostructures, leading to tunable responses in terahertz emission.
- Jacob Pettine
- , Prashant Padmanabhan
- & Hou-Tong Chen
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| Open AccessSingle-photon superradiance in individual caesium lead halide quantum dots
Excitonic single-photon superradiance is reported in individual perovskite quantum dots with a sub-100 ps radiative decay time, almost as short as the reported exciton coherence time.
- Chenglian Zhu
- , Simon C. Boehme
- & Gabriele Rainò
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Nozaki–Bekki solitons in semiconductor lasers
Free-running stable optical dissipative solitons, called Nozaki–Bekki solitons, are created in a ring semiconductor laser; their spontaneous formation with tuning of laser bias eliminates the need for an external optical pump.
- Nikola Opačak
- , Dmitry Kazakov
- & Benedikt Schwarz
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Multifunctional ytterbium oxide buffer for perovskite solar cells
Ytterbium oxide buffer layer for use in perovskite solar cells yields a certified power conversion efficiency of more than 25%, which enhances stability across a wide variety of perovskite compositions.
- Peng Chen
- , Yun Xiao
- & Rui Zhu
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Stable blue phosphorescent organic LEDs that use polariton-enhanced Purcell effects
Polariton-enhanced Purcell effects can be used to reduce the triplet density in blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes, thereby extending their operational lifetimes by decreasing the annihilation of high-energy, long-lived blue triplets.
- Haonan Zhao
- , Claire E. Arneson
- & Stephen R. Forrest
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News & Views |
The laser trick that could put an ultraprecise optical clock on a chip
Researchers have made a key breakthrough in how light is used to control time signals from the world’s most precise clocks. The technique marks a crucial step in bringing this technology into everyday life.
- Mengxi Tan
- & David J. Moss
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News & Views |
Twisted system makes nanolasers shine together
Ultrathin semiconductor materials that mimic twisted layers of atoms have been used to build synchronized arrays of nanometre-scale lasers. The systems can be configured — and easily reconfigured — to form intricate patterns.
- Liqin Tang
- & Zhigang Chen
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Kerr-induced synchronization of a cavity soliton to an optical reference
The passive and electronics-free Kerr-induced synchronization of optical-frequency combs could be used in their control and stabilization and to simplify optical clock systems.
- Grégory Moille
- , Jordan Stone
- & Kartik Srinivasan
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Reconfigurable moiré nanolaser arrays with phase synchronization
A reconfigurable coherent moiré nanolaser array based on optical flatbands in twisted photonic graphene lattices enables arrays with phase synchronization and high spatial and spectral coherence across a range of distinct patterns.
- Hong-Yi Luan
- , Yun-Hao Ouyang
- & Ren-Min Ma
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News & Views |
Self-assembling structures close the gap to trap light
An innovative method uses the intrinsic attractive force between silicon surfaces that are separated by a tiny gap to engineer structures that can confine light — offering an ideal set-up for manipulating single photons.
- Takashi Asano
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Article
| Open AccessSelf-assembled photonic cavities with atomic-scale confinement
Silicon photonic nanocavities based on surface forces and conventional lithography and etching are developed, demonstrating pioneering technology that integrates atomic dimensions with the scalability of planar semiconductors.
- Ali Nawaz Babar
- , Thor August Schimmell Weis
- & Søren Stobbe
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| Open AccessLogical quantum processor based on reconfigurable atom arrays
A programmable quantum processor based on encoded logical qubits operating with up to 280 physical qubits is described, in which improvement of algorithmic performance using a variety of error-correction codes is enabled.
- Dolev Bluvstein
- , Simon J. Evered
- & Mikhail D. Lukin
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Research Briefing |
Laser-induced vibrations probe microscale metamaterials without contacting them
Advanced materials engineered at the microscale have the potential to achieve unparalleled mechanical performance under extreme conditions. A laser-based characterization method enables the fast measurement of extreme properties in these materials, by extracting them from the sample’s vibrational ‘fingerprint’, without touching or permanently deforming the structure.
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Research Briefing |
Large-scale nanowire camera with a single-photon sensitivity
Superconducting detectors are a leading technology for the detection of single photons, but have been limited in the number of pixels that they can offer. A 400,000-pixel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector camera provides an improvement by a factor of 400 compared with the current state of the art.
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Research Briefing |
Computer vision accelerated using photons and electrons
A single chip that integrates optical and electronic analog computing modules provides a strategy for creating all-analog computing processors with a speed and energy efficiency that are several orders of magnitude higher than those of state-of-the-art digital processors.