PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space

Combining meta-optics with a photonic integrated circuit, the innovative interface can shape multiple light beams simultaneously in free space

Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space
2023-05-24
(Press-News.org) Recent technological advances have given us a remarkable ability to manipulate and control light waves, opening up numerous applications in various fields, such as optical communication, sensing, imaging, energy, and quantum computing. At the heart of this progress are photonic structures that can control light waves, either at the chip level in the form of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) or in free space as meta-optics. Combining these structures allows for the creation of compact optical systems. The PICs can be used to make subtle changes to the light wave, such as the manipulation of its phase and intensity to achieve a desired output, which can then be guided in free space by meta-optics. Such combined systems can control qubits for quantum computing and power light detection, as well as ranging systems like the ones used for autonomous vehicle navigation and mapping.

Since PICs use nanometer-scale waveguides to confine and direct light, coupling their light to and from larger devices, such as optical fibers, is tricky. Grating couplers are commonly used for this purpose because of their grating structure that can diffract light going in or out of the PIC's waveguides. However, these devices can only shape the light wave to a certain degree, limiting their applicability.

In view of this shortcoming, meta-optics capable of manipulating optical wavefronts with arbitrary shapes have been suggested to couple light from PICs. Although this approach is promising, no multifunctional coupling between PIC and free space has yet been reported.

Now, in a study published in Advanced Photonics Nexus, researchers from the University of Washington, have demonstrated a chip-scale hybrid PIC/meta-optical platform consisting of a photonic integrated circuit with gratings below a separate meta-optics chip. The PIC comprises 16 identical gratings arranged in a two-dimensional array, each with an aperture size of 300 micrometers and coupled to an optical fiber with a grating coupler. These gratings serve as waveguides and direct light from the fiber to the meta-optics chip which shapes and outputs light to free space, parallel to the input light.

“Using an array of low-loss meta-optics, we have developed a flexible and interchangeable interface between a photonic integrated circuit and free space,” says senior author Associate Professor Arka Majumdar from the University of Washington in Seattle.

Using this platform, the researchers were able to simultaneously pass light through 14 PIC gratings and then shape the corresponding beam with 14 different meta-optics, such as meta-lenses, vortex beam generators, extended depth of focus lenses, and holograms.

“Meta-optics has the ability to shape optical wavefronts to create a multifunctional interface between free-space optics and integrated photonics. This study exploits that. All the light beams that come out of the PIC are identical, but by placing different meta-optics on top of each grating, we were able to simultaneously manipulate the beams individually,” explains Majumdar.

In their experiments with different meta-optics, the researchers found that the device operated with high accuracy and reliability, even without prior knowledge of the input light or the need for precise alignment between the two chips. Specifically, they achieved a diffraction limited spot of three micrometers and a holographic image with a peak signal-to-noise ratio greater than 10 decibels.

The remarkable feature of the proposed device is its ability to change its functionality simply by replacing the meta-optics linked to the PIC. This allows for a wide range of possibilities for controlling and modifying light beams with a high degree of error tolerance. The potential applications of this interface are manifold, and include beam steering, structured light generation, optical trapping, and manipulation of cold atom qubits.

Read the Gold Open Access article by Q. A. A. Tanguy et al., “Multifunctional interface between integrated photonics and free space,” Adv. Photon. Nexus 2(3) 036012, doi 10.1117/1.APN.2.3.036012.

END

[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Harvard professor and entrepreneur Tim Springer donates $210 million to the Institute for Protein Innovation

Harvard professor and entrepreneur Tim Springer donates $210 million to the Institute for Protein Innovation
2023-05-24
BOSTON, March 29, 2023 — The Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI), a nonprofit research organization, announced today a $210 million gift from Tim Springer, Ph.D., veteran entrepreneur and professor at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, who founded IPI in 2017 with Andrew Kruse, Ph.D. The gift will advance protein science and accelerate research to improve human health.  The philanthropic gift—made by Springer, his wife Chafen Lu, Ph.D., and their children—adds ...

New research prizes will give $2.5 million to top scientists in Texas

New research prizes will give $2.5 million to top scientists in Texas
2023-05-24
DALLAS – Texas scientists will receive $2.5 million in funding to advance their research thanks to a new prize program from Lyda Hill Philanthropies and TAMEST (Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology). The Hill Prizes, funded by Lyda Hill Philanthropies, will accelerate high-risk, high-reward research ideas with significant potential for real-world impact. The Prizes will celebrate top Texas innovators and researchers whose work could significantly impact science and society in five categories: Medicine, Engineering, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences ...

Morressier joins the fight for science with federated integrity suite for authors and publishers

2023-05-24
Berlin and Washington DC, May 24, 2023 – Morressier announced today an integrity suite that will be offered as part of its end-to-end platform, designed to increase the quality of and trust in the outputs of scientific research. Pre-flight checks for authors will flag potential quality issues, check for completeness of submissions, and provide recommendations for improvements in areas such as language. Publishers using the Morressier platform now have access to a powerful suite of automated tools to help them identify integrity issues early and at scale. Plagiarism detection tools in the Morressier platform, for instance, indicate phrases in submissions that may ...

SEngine Precision Medicine demonstrates potential of PARIS® Test to find unexpected therapeutic options for treating cancer

2023-05-24
SEngine Precision Medicine, the precision oncology innovator matching patients to medicines based on their own tumor samples, announces the publication of a new case report showing a patient’s remarkable response to an off-label therapy identified by its PARIS® Test. Despite standard-of-care chemotherapy and two surgeries, the patient’s low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) was progressing and her prognosis was terminal. But by testing a range of therapies in organoids grown from the patient’s own tumor sample, SEngine’s PARIS® Test identified as ...

Logging on for health: More older adults use patient portals, but access and attitudes vary widely

2023-05-24
Far more older adults these days log on to secure websites or apps to connect with their health information or have a virtual health care appointment, compared with five years ago, a new poll shows. Overall, 78% of people aged 50 to 80 have used at least one patient portal, up from 51% in a poll taken five years ago, according to findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. Of those with portal access, 55% had used it in the past month, and 49% have accounts on more than one portal. But the poll also reveals major disparities, with some groups of older adults less likely to use patient portals, or more likely ...

Life stressors may contribute to multiple sclerosis flares, disability

2023-05-24
A Michigan Medicine-led study finds that stressors across the lifespan — including poverty, abuse and divorce — are associated with worsening health and functional outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis. Using survey data from more than 700 people with MS, researchers discovered that stressful events occurring both in childhood and adulthood contributed significantly to participants’ level of disability. The results are published in Brain and Behavior. “MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic ...

Existing drugs point to first treatment for strokes linked to dementia

2023-05-24
People who experience a type of stroke linked with nearly half of all dementias could be treated for the first time by repurposing two cheap and common drugs, a trial shows.   Researchers found that isosorbide mononitrate and cilostazol, which are already used to treat other heart and circulatory diseases, can safely improve the debilitating outcomes people experience after lacunar stroke.   The two drugs, which were found to be even more effective when used in combination, could be available as a treatment for lacunar strokes within five years, if the results are ...

Long or short menstrual cycles linked to higher risk of CVD including atrial fibrillation

2023-05-24
Research Highlights: An analysis of data for more than 58,000 women in the U.K. Biobank found that both short (less than 21 days) or long (more than 35 days) menstrual cycles were associated with the development of cardiovascular disease, heart attack or atrial fibrillation (AFib). Short or long menstrual cycle length was associated with a 19% higher risk of heart disease among those women compared to women with menstrual cycle length between 22 to 34 days. Irregular menstrual cycle length was associated with a 40% higher risk of atrial ...

Physical activities like a daily, 20-minute walk may help reduce disparities in heart health

2023-05-24
Statement Highlights: Addressing low levels of physical activity among people in some targeted groups has the potential to improve equity in cardiovascular health. Physical activity levels are lower among some population groups known to have higher cardiovascular disease risk, including adults who are older, female, Black, have depression, have disabilities, have lower socioeconomic status or live in rural areas. It’s important to improve resources and opportunities to decrease barriers to physical activity. Physical activity initiatives should engage the community and ...

Cleft lip caused by combination of genes and environment

2023-05-24
A cleft lip or palate arises from the combined effects of genes and inflammatory risk factors experienced during pregnancy, such as smoking or infections, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The study, published in Nature Communications, has revealed for the first time how genetic and environmental factors come together to form a cleft lip or palate in a developing foetus. Cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, is the most common craniofacial malformation seen at birth, affecting one in 700 live births. It can have devastating ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

American Academy of Arts and Sciences to induct UVA's Garcia-Blanco

Illinois-led team puts cows and microbes to work to reduce greenhouse gases

DOE announces $264 million for basic research in support of Energy Earthshots™

New drug a breakthrough for brain tumor that strikes young people: NEJM editorial

Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin’s finch evolution

Ghent University’s research team envisions a bright future with active machine learning in chemical engineering

Climate change and carnivores: shifts in the distribution and effectiveness of protected areas in the Amazon

Can ChatGPT help us form personal narratives?

An intelligent control method reduces carbon emissions in energy-intensive equipment

Groundbreaking control method reduces carbon emissions from zinc oxide rotary kilns, boosting profits for zinc smelting industry

Small but mighty new gene editor

Study finds SARS-CoV-2-associated sepsis was more common, deadly than previously thought

Use of electronic clinical data to track incidence and mortality for SARS-CoV-2–associated sepsis

Misinformation, trust, and use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19

Neighborhood factors, individual stressors, and cardiovascular health among Black and white adults

New research reveals link between childhood mental health problems and quality of life for young adults

New insights into how the human brain organises language

Visual search: Context facilitates more effective strategies

Malaria: Treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients under threat in the Horn of Africa

New post-translational modification of the glycolytic enzyme enolase

New frontier in biomedical engineering: Protein coacervates engineered into adhesive for unprecedented skin repair speed

New study unveils insights into ethylene copolymerization with linear and end-cyclized olefins using a metallocene catalyst

Study identifies new pathway to suppressing autoimmunity

Diabetes may accelerate blood cancer growth, yet survival outcomes differ by race

Groundbreaking mathematical proof: new insights into typhoon dynamics unveiled

Teams invent a new metallization method of modified tannic acid photoresist patterning

MoMFs could be central to liver regeneration

A lethal parasite’s secret weapon: Infecting non-immune cells

Ball milling provides high pressure benefits to battery materials

Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society (CHSS) and fourteen professional organizations announce recommendations for performing pediatric heart surgery in US

[Press-News.org] Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space
Combining meta-optics with a photonic integrated circuit, the innovative interface can shape multiple light beams simultaneously in free space