Researchers have successfully produced photonic time crystals (PTCs) in the near-visible spectrum by rapidly modulating the refractive index. This breakthrough expands the range of PTCs, which were previously observed only in radio waves. The ability to sustain PTCs in the optical domain could have significant implications for light science, enabling disruptive applications in the future. The study's authors acknowledge that the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not yet fully understood.
Researchers from Zhejiang University have developed a waveguiding scheme that enables the confinement of light to subnanometer scales, bringing us closer to the dream of shrinking light down to the size of a water molecule. This novel approach utilizes a coupled-nanowire-pair (CNP) to generate a confined optical field as tiny as 0.3 nm with high efficiency and a high peak-to-background ratio. The scheme extends into the mid-infrared spectral range, offering even more opportunities for exploration and discovery. The potential applications of this breakthrough include advancements in light-matter interactions, super-resolution nanoscopy, atom/molecule manipulation, and ultrasensitive detection.
