LASER World of PHOTONICS

05/11/2025

Scientists Create the First Visible 'Time Crystal' 💎 🕑 ⚛️

A clock that runs forever without a power source – a new study by physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder takes this idea a step closer by creating a new “time crystal” made of liquid crystals – the same materials found in the display of smartphones.

This isn't the first time a time crystal has been created, but it's the first one that is visible to the human eye. This could unlock a world of new technological applications, from advanced anti-counterfeiting measures to new ways of storing digital data.

Under a microscope, these liquid crystals form psychedelic, swirling patterns that repeat over time. This breakthrough shows how the intersection of physics and optics continues to push the boundaries of what's possible.

https://www.colorado.edu/today/2025/09/05/physicists-have-created-new-time-crystal-it-wont-power-time-machine-could-have-many

[Image: Zhao & Smalyukh/ Nature Materials DOI: 10.1038/s41563-025-02344-1 - A time crystal as seen under a microscope.]

31/10/2025

Yesterday, the advisory board of Laser World of Photonics met for an inspiring exchange on current developments and the future of the photonics industry.

A special moment was the farewell to Mr. Barone from LASOS Lasertechnik GmbH, who left the advisory board after almost 20 years. 🙏 Thank you very much for your extraordinary commitment, expertise, and passion, Mr. Barone. We wish you all the best for this new chapter in your life!

✨And a big thank you to all participants for making the trip to Munich!

28/10/2025

Light Emission and Infrared Imaging: Making the Invisible Visible with a New Nanoscale Photonics Trick ✴️ 📈 ✨

Researchers from the University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) and the Polish Academy Sciences have uncovered a new light-upgrading effect with significant potential for the photonics world.

By simultaneously exciting upconverting nanoparticles with two near-infrared laser beams, they discovered a dramatic increase in visible light emission. The most surprising part? Under specific conditions, visible light appeared only when both beams were used together, even when neither beam produced any emission on its own.

This innovative approach could revolutionize:
🔬 Imaging and microscopy: Visualizing infrared radiation beyond the capabilities of standard detectors.
✴️ Optical computing: Developing new ways to process information with light.
🏮 Infrared detection: Enhancing the conversion of invisible infrared light to visible light.

This discovery opens up exciting possibilities for the future of photonic technologies.

https://www.fuw.edu.pl/press-release/news9617.html

[Image: ACS Nano/ American Chemical Society, issue 19, July 29, 2025 - The results of research conducted by scientists from the Ultrafast Processes Laboratory at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, and the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, PAS.]

22/10/2025

Twisting Light to Move More Data for Faster, More Secure Communications 🌀 ✴️ 📈

What if you could add extra lanes to the information superhighway? New research from The University of Melbourne and 한양대학교 Hanyang University shows how that can be done just that by twisting light into powerful, spiral-shaped beams called optical vortices.

The researchers used a surprisingly simple and cost-effective method: Ultra-thin van der Waals (vdW) materials. These materials naturally convert normal light into a vortex beam, creating a new, more efficient way to encode and transmit massive amounts of data.

This findings could pave the way for faster, more secure optical communications, from high-speed internet to satellite systems.

https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/were-twisting-light-to-move-more-data

[Image: Seok Woo Yun - Passing cicularly-polarised light through certain van der Wals materials causing the beam to spiral.]

New technology from the University of Melbourne that creates ‘light twisters’ using ultra-thin materials could shape the future of optical communications

14/10/2025

An Alternative to LASIK? ✴️ 👀 💯
What if you could reshape the cornea and correct vision without a single laser or incision? Researchers from Occidental College and University of California, Irvine have developed an innovative technique called electromechanical reshaping (EMR) that uses a low electric potential to change the pH of the cornea, making it malleable enough to be reshaped. In initial tests on animal tissue, the cornea was able to be molded to a new, corrected shape in about one minute—the same amount of time as LASIK, but without the high costs, extensive equipment, or potential risks of cutting tissue.

This research could lead to a safer, more accessible, and even reversible alternative to traditional eye surgery.

https://www.acs.org/pressroom/presspacs/2025/august/an-alternative-to-lasik-without-the-lasers.html

[Image: Daniel Kim and Mimi Chen - The electromechanical reshaping technique successfully flattened this rabbit cornea, shown in a cross section, from its original shape (white line) to a corrected one (yellow line).]

Researchers are taking the laser out of LASIK by remodeling the cornea, rather than cutting it, in initial animal tissue tests.

08/10/2025

Cracking the Code of Invisible Magnetism: How a New Laser-Powered Technique Unlocks Hidden Magnetic Secrets in Copper and Gold ✴️ 🧲 👑
New research is shedding light on the invisible: A team of scientists has developed a groundbreaking way to detect subtle magnetic signals in everyday metals like copper and gold, using a simple laser.

For years, the scientific community knew a phenomenon called the optical Hall effect existed, but the signal was too faint to measure.
By refining a technique called the magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) and using a special blue laser, the team was able to ""turn up the volume"" on these magnetic whispers. Their method allows them to pick up on signals in non-magnetic materials—a feat previously considered nearly impossible.

This isn't just a scientific curiosity. This new, wire-free approach offers a non-invasive way to study magnetism and electron behavior, which could lead to significant advances in:
🚀 Faster processors
💯 More energy-efficient systems
💎 Quantum computing

https://europeanfriends.huji.ac.il/news/shedding-new-light-invisible-forces-hidden-magnetic-clues-everyday-metals-unlocked

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Weizmann Institute of Science Penn State The University of Manchester
[Image: Paz Roth - Optical Hall Measurements of the Silicon Wafer.]

A team of scientists has developed a powerful new way to detect subtle magnetic signals in common metals like copper, gold, and aluminum—using nothing more than light and a clever technique. Their research, recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, could pave the way for...

01/10/2025

Happy 50th birthday to Productronica ! 🥳 ✴️ ⚙️

We at Laser World of Photonics want to give a huge shout-out to our sister trade fair for five decades of shaping the future of electronics manufacturing! Our shared focus on high-tech innovation, particularly in the fields of photonics and electronics, makes us strong partners at Messe München in shaping the future of manufacturing.

productronica has been a vital platform for innovation, connecting experts, and showcasing the latest advancements in the industry since 1975. This year's anniversary is an outstanding sign of the trade fair's continued success and its critical role in advancing the electronics industry.

From one industry leader to another, we are proud to share a heritage with such a remarkable event and celebrate your incredible milestone. 💙

Here's to many more years of innovation and success!

30/09/2025

Optimizing Laser Treatment for Enhanced Precision Dermatology: Novel Approach to Safer, More Effective Discoloration Therapy ✴️ 🫱🏼 💯

New research from Metropolitan University is set to transform how skin discoloration treatment is approached, particularly for conditions like Nevus of Ota.

For years, setting the right laser irradiation conditions has been a challenge, with existing meta-analyses often muddied by cases of over- and under-irradiation.

The team now has developed the EICF (Excessive Setting Index of Clinical Fluence). This innovative in-silico mathematical model allows for the precise determination of appropriate laser irradiation conditions, leading to significantly more accurate evaluations of treatment efficacy.

https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/info/research-news/entry-86638.html

[Image: Osaka Metropolitan University - Laser treatment for scars and discoloration: The newly emerging picosecond and nanosecond lasers are commonly used in treating nevus of Ota.]

24/09/2025

From Chips to Quantum Devices: Advancing the Nanofabrication Frontier with Ultrafast Lasers 🏭 ✴️ 🔬

Ultrafast laser nanofabrication is pivotal in pushing the boundaries of manufacturing, essential for everything from advanced chip production to revolutionary quantum devices. A study by scientists from Beijing University of Technology and National University of Singapore highlights how ultrafast lasers are addressing the industry's relentless pursuit of miniaturization, moving beyond the limitations of traditional methods.

The work explores both near-field and far-field laser techniques, showcasing incredible advancements. While near-field methods have achieved astonishing 11nm feature sizes, their practical application is limited. However, far-field techniques, once constrained by the diffraction limit, are now enabling features as small as tens of nanometers through innovations like Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) and multiphoton absorption. Even more exciting, strategies like dual-beam overlapping are hinting at a sub-10nm future.

Despite these breakthroughs, challenges remain, particularly in achieving high-aspect-ratio processing and overcoming the nonlinear threshold instability. But with ongoing research into new laser sources and pulse-shaping technologies, the path to high-resolution, high-efficiency, and large-scale nanofabrication is clearer than ever.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1089730

[Image: Zhenyuan Lin, Lingfei Ji, Minghui Hong - ASOM: adaptive scanning optical microscope.]

22/09/2025

Boosting Safety & Efficiency of Water Treatment with 3D Laser Precision – Smart Defect Inspection of Filters using Multidimensional Data 📡 💧 ✅

An innovation is set to enhance water treatment facilities worldwide: Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Circular Water Solution have developed a multi-dimensional data interpretation framework that enables non-invasive, real-time identification of defective water treatment filters.

This method combines 3D laser scanning technology with advanced SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) sensor data analysis to detect subsurface structural defects without any operational disruptions.

Key improvements:
✔️ Significant reductions in inspection time and labor costs.
✔️ Elimination of operational interruptions for filter checks.
✔️ Enhanced public health protection through consistently effective water filtration.

This framework uses upside-down 3D laser scanners to capture precise geometric changes on filter surfaces, integrating roughness, curvature, and other features with time-series sensor data. Tested extensively at the Shenango Water Treatment Plant (Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc.), this system accurately identifies problematic filters by revealing surface deformations and operational anomalies that point to issues like uneven gravel beds or mud ball formation.

This work not only safeguards water quality but also paves the way for smarter, more efficient infrastructure monitoring. The applications extend beyond water treatment, inspiring innovations in pipeline inspection and other industrial filtration systems.

Discover how laser technology is driving a safer, more sustainable future for water treatment.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1089689

[Image: Pengkun Liu, Pingbo Tang/ both Carnegie Mellon University, Jinghua Xiao/Circular Water Solution LLC - Compact filter defect detection: This framework integrates 3D scanning, SCADA data, and CFD for non-invasive detection of subsurface structural defects in water filters. It enables automated monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimized backwash in smart facilities./ Caption summary by AI]