Thursday, March 4, 2021

The latest updates from Physics World

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The cosmological constant has been a thorn in the side of physicists for decades. Originally introduced by Albert Einstein to account for a universe that was then thought to be static, these days the constant represents the energy density of empty space.

Trouble is, the theoretical and experimental values of the constant are 120 orders of magnitude apart. That massive discrepancy is, however, prompting a new generation of cosmologists to tackle what Einstein once dubbed his "biggest blunder".

Find out more in this great in-depth feature by science writer Rob Lea.

Matin Durrani, editor-in-chief, Physics World

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

Biomedical devices | Research update

Fast fabrication method brings modular microfluidics to life

From teaching tools to point-of-care medical diagnostics, low-cost 3D printing technique promises to increase access to customizable lab-on-a-chip technology

Dark matter and energy, Quantum optics | Research update

Squeezed light boosts the search for dark matter axions

Technique speeds up data analysis by a factor of two

Quantum computing, Semiconductors and electronics | Research update

Qubit needle detected in a haystack of nuclear spins

New technique might help in the development of a quantum internet

Nuclear medicine | Research update

Deep learning enables safer heart scans with lower radiotracer dose

A de-noising model enables significant reduction of radiotracer dose in cardiac PET scans without lowering diagnostic accuracy

Magnetism and spin, Materials | Research update

Light-induced lattice vibrations could speed up data recording

New optical "shaking" technique switches an antiferromagnetic material into a ferromagnetic one in just a few picoseconds

EXPLORE MORE

Nuclear physics, Planetary science | Podcast

The race to discover superheavy elements, a dinosaur killer and other visitors from outer space

In this week's podcast we chat about making new isotopes and what to do if you find a meteorite

Diversity and inclusion, Personalities | Blog

Physics in the pandemic: 'I took inspiration from the healthcare sector and brought in a therapist for my lab'

Andrea Armani describes how setting up weekly sessions with an external mental health expert has helped her students cope in a radically altered research environment

Optics and photonics, Sponsored | Innovation showcase

Digital forum focuses on photonics

This year's Photonics West will use digital technology to engage attendees with live and on-demand presentations, as well as online networking events and a virtual industry marketplace

Cosmology | Feature

A new generation takes on the cosmological constant

The long-standing physics problem is being tackled with renewed vigour by today's cosmologists. Rob Lea investigates

Instrumentation and measurement, Sponsored | Video

A new approach to Hall measurement

Innovative Hall measurement technique delivers faster, more accurate results with the M91 FastHall measurement controller from Lake Shore Cryotronics

OUR LATEST WEBINARS

You can explore our full selection of webinars on our website.

Environment and energy, Sponsored | Webinar

Chemo-mechanics of preventing dendrite penetration in Li metal cells

Join the audience for a live webinar on 24 March 2021 sponsored by The Electrochemical Society

Medical physics, Sponsored | Webinar

Real-time treatment verification with the Integral Quality Monitor (IQM) System

Join the audience for a live webinar on 26 March 2021 sponsored by Elekta

INNOVATION SHOWCASES

You can explore our full selection of innovation showcases on our website.

Virtual reality enables photonics learning

The Immersive Photonics Lab from ALPhANOV is an innovative training tool that engages trainees in a virtual reality photonics lab. The immersive learning environment helps participants to master the professional and technical know-how they need for their role, whether they are new to the industry or learning to use a new piece of equipment.

The virtual reality application faithfully reproduces physical phenomena and enables fast and effective development of procedural skills, whether in industrial or educational settings. The tool emulates all the equipment needed to train professionals and students, without risk of injury or damaging valuable optical components.

Sources deliver polarization-entangled photons for quantum research

OZ Optics has expanded its product line for quantum photonics. It now offers two sources of polarization-entangled photons for applications in quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum computing, and with both source types, OZ can now produce high-quality polarization entanglement throughout the near-infrared and short-wave infrared frequency bands.

The EPS-1000 is an all-fibre generator of broadband polarization-entangled photon pairs. The EPG-1000 series of crystal-based polarization entangled photon sources have been designed to meet the diverse phase-matching needs of the quantum R&D community.

Upgrade boosts SuperK performance and reliability

The SuperK FIANIUM series of supercontinuum lasers from NKT Photonics offers the highest efficiency of any on the market, as well as the highest power in the visible range. Newly upgraded electronics and improved fibre technology have boosted performance and reliability still further, while also making the lasers even easier to use.

SuperK lasers deliver high-brightness diffraction-limited light over the entire 390–2400 nm range, providing single-mode, broadband collimation at high power. The modular design achieves power levels of up to 2 W at visible wavelengths and a total output power of up to 6.5 W.