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Optics

All articles tagged with #optics

Gold, Light, and Salt Unveil Nanoscale Forces in Real Time
science13 days ago

Gold, Light, and Salt Unveil Nanoscale Forces in Real Time

Chalmers University researchers have developed a simple platform using micrometer-sized gold flakes in a salt solution between two gold-coated glass plates. When illuminated, light trapped in nanometer-scale liquid cavities creates color changes that reveal the balance between Casimir attraction and electrostatic repulsion, enabling direct study of nanoscale surface forces and self-assembly with potential applications in medicine, biosensing, and materials science.

via SciTechDaily|
#casimir-effect#nanomaterials#nanoscale-physics
CW laser and sharp tip push optical imaging to 0.1 nm, revealing atoms
science27 days ago

CW laser and sharp tip push optical imaging to 0.1 nm, revealing atoms

A team uses a continuous-wave mid-infrared laser and a needle-sharp metal tip to squeeze light into sub-atomic gaps, producing near-field optical tunneling emission that resolves atomic-scale features down to about 0.1 nanometers—roughly 100,000 times smaller than conventional diffraction-limited optics. The method works with standard lasers and could enable widespread atomic-scale optical imaging in catalysts, semiconductors, and quantum materials, with findings published in Nano Letters.

via Interesting Engineering|
#atomic-scale-imaging#near-field-microscopy#optics
Are Image-Stabilized Binoculars Ideal for Stargazing?
science1 month ago

Are Image-Stabilized Binoculars Ideal for Stargazing?

Image-stabilized binoculars significantly enhance stargazing by providing shake-free views, making them ideal for observing deep space objects, wildlife, and for travelers. They are especially useful for beginners and those without telescopes, though they tend to be more expensive and heavier due to their stabilization systems. High-quality models from brands like Canon, Fujifilm, and Nikon offer varying degrees of stabilization and magnification, catering to different needs and budgets.

via Space|
#astronomy#binoculars#image-stabilization
Multicolor Metalenses Promise to Transform Camera Technology
technology5 months ago

Multicolor Metalenses Promise to Transform Camera Technology

Researchers have developed layered multicolor metalenses using stacked metamaterials that can focus multiple wavelengths simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of single-layer lenses. This innovative design is easy to manufacture, polarization insensitive, and scalable, with potential applications in compact, high-performance optical devices for drones, smartphones, and other portable technologies.

via SciTechDaily|
#metalenses#metamaterials#multicolor
The Limitations of Inexpensive Digital Microscopes
technology6 months ago

The Limitations of Inexpensive Digital Microscopes

Cheap digital microscopes, like the Tomlov DM9, often overstate their capabilities, especially in magnification and image quality, due to fundamental physics limitations. They have small sensors and limited depth of field, making their images less detailed compared to higher-end macro lenses on larger sensors. While they may be sufficient for casual use, their performance is significantly inferior to more expensive equipment, and their advertised specifications can be misleading.

via Hackaday|
#digital-microscopes#image-quality#magnification
Top Black Friday Deals on Binoculars, Telescopes, and Space Gifts
shopping1 year ago

Top Black Friday Deals on Binoculars, Telescopes, and Space Gifts

The article highlights the best Black Friday deals on binoculars for 2024, featuring significant discounts on popular models like the Celestron SkyMaster Pro, Vortex Optics Crossfire HD, and Nikon Prostaff. It also mentions a broader range of deals on other products such as air purifiers, electric toothbrushes, and telescopes, available in their Black Friday deals hub. The article is authored by Kimberley Lane, an experienced e-commerce writer and photographer.

via Livescience.com|
#binoculars#black-friday#deals
Scientists Unveil Lasers Capable of Casting Shadows
science-and-technology1 year ago

Scientists Unveil Lasers Capable of Casting Shadows

Scientists have demonstrated that lasers can cast shadows, a phenomenon previously thought impossible, by using a green laser to block a blue laser in a ruby crystal. This discovery, published in Optica, challenges traditional notions of shadows and could impact technologies using lasers, like fiber optics. The experiment raises questions about whether the shadow is cast by the laser itself or the ruby crystal, expanding possibilities for laser control.

via Gizmodo|
#lasers#optics#science-and-technology
Scientists Unveil Lasers That Cast Their Own Shadows
science-and-technology1 year ago

Scientists Unveil Lasers That Cast Their Own Shadows

New research demonstrates that a laser beam can cast a shadow under specific conditions using a ruby crystal and certain laser wavelengths. This occurs when a green laser alters the crystal's properties, increasing its absorption of a blue laser beam and creating a shadow effect. This phenomenon could have potential applications in using one laser to control another.

via Hackaday|
#lasers#lightcontrol#nonlinearoptics