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Combining space topology and time topology, topological states that are localized simultaneously in space and time are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated, potentially enabling the space-time topological shaping of light waves with applications in spatiotemporal wave control for imaging, communications and topological lasers.
Two-dimensional materials have revolutionized the field of photonics by enabling the manipulation of light at the nanoscale. As their potential continues to grow, we can expect to see more innovative applications emerging in the future.
An angular Fourier optics framework has been established and demonstrated, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for the analysis and manipulation of light waves carrying orbital angular momentum.
Intrinsically polarized white-light emission is highly demanded for many applications. It is now possible to realize it via a bimolecular doping strategy of organic semiconductor single crystals, overcoming long-standing limitations in organic emitters.
By integrating a moiré photonic structure on-chip with advanced microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology, an in situ twisted moiré photonic platform that can be tuned is realized, enabling nanometre-scale positioning of two optical nanostructures in either the near- or far-field coupling regime.
Ultrafast magnetic field steps are generated by light-induced quenching of supercurrents in a YBa2Cu3O7 superconductor. They exhibit millitesla amplitude, picosecond rise times and slew rates approaching 1 GT s–1.
A systematic study of 15 non-fullerene-based organic solar cells elucidates loss mechanisms and enables an encapsulated device to retain 91% of its initial efficiency after seven months of outdoor operation in Saudi Arabian climate.
Dense three-dimensional integration of photonics and electronics results in a high-speed (800 Gb s−1) data interface for semiconductor chips that features 80 communication channels and consumes only tens of femtojoules per transmitted bit.
Guiding light around dynamic regions of a scattering object by means of propagating light through the most ‘stable’ channel within a moving scattering medium is demonstrated, potentially advancing fields such as deep imaging in living biological tissue and optical communications through turbulent air and underwater.
Nonlinear optical properties of transparent conducting oxides are explored through the full spatio-spectral fission of an ultrafast 93-fs pulse traversing a submicrometre time-varying aluminium zinc oxide layer in its near-zero-index region, providing insights into the use of these materials for integrated photonics, photonic time crystals and integrated neural networks.
By combining an ultralow-loss silicon nitride reference cavity with a diode laser, the interrogation of a strontium-ion optical clock is possible with excellent accuracy. The development is a step towards miniature, integrated optical clocks.
Super-resolution microscopy offers valuable tools to tackle biological questions. Nature Photonics spoke with Markus Sauer, from the University of Würzburg, about the advantages and outstanding challenges of super-resolution microscopy for biological applications.
The challenges of fabricating low-loss waveguides and the reliance on bulky external magnets hinder the miniaturization of Faraday isolators. Now, researchers have overcome this limitation by femtosecond laser writing of waveguides within latched garnet.
The performance of super-resolution microscopy is continuously improving. Nature Photonics interviewed Stefan Hell, from the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, about key milestones in the field, current capabilities of MINFLUX and what remains to be excited about.
