Optics & Photonics Focus News Updates

Spying on Living Cells

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Undercover agents have been using tiny spy cameras for decades. Now, thanks to nanotechnology, researchers can also go undercover and spy on living cells from the inside.

Restless Cells in the Human Eye

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The cone cells in the human eye make it possible for us to enjoy a world full of color. A new technique helps us understand these cells better by measuring their growth in the eyes of a living person.

Traffic Lights for Chemotherapy

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Many cancer patients do not respond to chemotherapy and have to endure harmful side effects even when the treatment itself does not prove effective. A new technique could, as of the very first day, give the green or red light to continuing with the treatment.

Sailing through the Waves of Light

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The difference in the interaction between an atom and light can be as wide as that between a pleasant, relaxing canoe ride, and a whitewater rafting experience. It is now possible to switch back and forth between the two, ultraquickly, at the touch of a laser pulse.

Hide and Seek

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Every morning, on the seabed, a cuttlefish wakes up. It knows it must camouflage itself to fool its predators. Every morning, on the seabed, a predator fish wakes up. It knows it must keep its eyes peeled, if it wants to eat. The game for survival is on. Who will win?

QSI: Quantum Scene Investigation

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

What do police detectives and quantum physicists have in common? They both often need to interpret evidence, and distinguish between false and real clues. After all, evidence pointing to a quantum phenomenon can be rigged, just like evidence pointing to a crime suspect can.

The Number of Life

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

1/137� give or take: the value of the fine-structure constant. Our Universe, our life and everything we know depend on this number. What would the consequences be, if this were to change?

A Brighter Summer under the Ice

Wed, 7 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

While Venice and other coastal cities around the world are slowly sinking, during the Arctic summer the waters underneath the ice become brighter and brighter. Are these two scenarios connected to the continuous thinning of Arctic ice?

The Photon Bouncer

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Technology based on individual photons may soon open the door to new ways of quantum computing. Controlling quantum systems, however, is extremely subtle and difficult. The most common model currently in use, as it now turns out, is simply insufficient -- a slightly more complex approach is required.

Light�s Pull and Push

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

That light can exert forces by 'pushing' objects has been known for a while. But would you have guessed that light can also 'pull' towards the light source, just like the optical tractor beams in Star Trek?