理学最新文献

{"title":"Creating topological exceptional point by on-chip all-dielectric metasurface","authors":"Cheng Yi, Zejing Wang, Yangyang Shi, Shuai Wan, Jiao Tang, Wanlin Hu, Zile Li, Yongquan Zeng, Qinghua Song, Zhongyang Li","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01955-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01955-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Classified as a non-Hermitian system, topological metasurface is one of the ideal platforms for exploring a striking property, that is, the exceptional point (EP). Recently, creating and encircling EP in metasurfaces has triggered various progressive functionalities, including polarization control and optical holographic encoding. However, existing topological metasurfaces mostly rely on plasmonic materials, which introduce inevitable ohmic losses and limit their compatibility with mainstream all-dielectric meta-devices. Additionally, conventional free-space configurations also hinder the integration of multiple meta-devices in compact platforms. Here, an on-chip topological metasurface is experimentally demonstrated to create and engineer the topological phase encircling the EP in all-dielectric architecture. By massively screening the Si meta-atom geometry on the Si₃N₄ waveguide, a 2π-topological phase shift is obtained by encircling the EP. Through combining with the Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase, we decouple the orthogonal circular polarization channels and unfold the independent encoding freedom for different holographic generations. As a proof of concept, the proposed on-chip topological metasurface enables floating holographic visualizations in real-world scenarios, functioning as practical augmented reality (AR) functionalities. Such the all-dielectric on-chip scheme eliminates ohmic losses and enables compatible integration with other on-chip meta-devices, thus suggesting promising applications in next-generation AR devices, multiplexing information storage, and advanced optical displays.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144778570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chip-based label-free incoherent super-resolution optical microscopy.","authors":"Nikhil Jayakumar,Luis E Villegas-Hernández,Weisong Zhao,Hong Mao,Firehun T Dullo,Jean-Claude Tinguely,Krizia Sagini,Alicia Llorente,Balpreet Singh Ahluwalia","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01914-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01914-x","url":null,"abstract":"The photo-kinetics of fluorescent molecules have enabled the circumvention of the far-field optical diffraction limit. Despite its enormous potential, the necessity to label the sample may adversely influence the delicate biology under investigation. Thus, continued development efforts are needed to surpass the far-field label-free diffraction barrier. The statistical similarity or finite coherence of the scattered light off the sample in label-free mode hinders the application of existing super-resolution methods based on incoherent fluorescence imaging. In this article, we present physics and propose a methodology to circumvent this challenge by exploiting the photoluminescence (PL) of silicon nitride waveguides for near-field illumination of unlabeled samples. The technique is abbreviated EPSLON, Evanescently decaying Photoluminescence Scattering enables Label-free Optical Nanoscopy. We demonstrate that such an illumination has properties that mimic the photo-kinetics of nano-sized fluorescent molecules, i.e., such an illumination permits incoherence between the scattered fields from various locations on the sample plane. Thus, the illumination scheme enables the development of a far-field label-free incoherent imaging system that is linear in intensity and stable over time, thereby permitting the application of techniques like structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and intensity-fluctuation-based optical nanoscopy (IFON) in label-free mode to circumvent the diffraction limit. In this proof-of-concept work, we observed a two-point resolution of ~ 180 nm on super-resolved nanobeads and resolution improvements between 1.9× to 2.8× over the diffraction limit, as quantified using Fourier Ring Correlation (FRC), on various biological samples. We believe EPSLON is a step forward within the field of incoherent far-field label-free super-resolution microscopy that holds a key to investigating biological systems in their natural state without the need for exogenous labels.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"57 1","pages":"259"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Achieving 100% amplitude modulation depth in the terahertz range with graphene-based tuneable capacitance metamaterials.","authors":"Ruqiao Xia,Nikita W Almond,Wadood Tadbier,Stephen J Kindness,Riccardo Degl'Innocenti,Yuezhen Lu,Abbie Lowe,Ben Ramsay,Lukas A Jakob,James Dann,Stephan Hofmann,Harvey E Beere,Sergey A Mikhailov,David A Ritchie,Wladislaw Michailow","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01945-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01945-4","url":null,"abstract":"Effective control of terahertz radiation requires fast and efficient modulators with a large modulation depth-a challenge that is often tackled by using metamaterials. Metamaterial-based active modulators can be created by placing graphene as a tuneable element shunting regions of high electric field confinement in metamaterials. However, in this common approach, the graphene is used as a variable resistor, and the modulation is achieved by resistive damping of the resonance. In combination with the finite conductivity of graphene due to its gapless nature, achieving 100% modulation depth using this approach remains challenging. Here, we embed nanoscale graphene capacitors within the gaps of the metamaterial resonators, and thus switch from a resistive damping to a capacitive tuning of the resonance. We further expand the optical modulation range by device excitation from its substrate side. As a result, we demonstrate terahertz modulators with over four orders of magnitude modulation depth (45.7 dB at 1.68 THz and 40.1 dB at 2.15 THz), and a reconfiguration speed of 30 MHz. These tuneable capacitance modulators are electrically controlled solid-state devices enabling unity modulation with graphene conductivities below 0.7 mS. The demonstrated approach can be applied to enhance modulation performance of any metamaterial-based modulator with a 2D electron gas. Our results open up new frontiers in the area of terahertz communications, real-time imaging, and wave-optical analogue computing.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"223 1","pages":"256"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-fidelity tissue super-resolution imaging achieved with confocal2 spinning-disk image scanning microscopy.","authors":"Qianxi Liang,Wei Ren,Boya Jin,Liang Qiao,Xichuan Ge,Yunzhe Fu,Xiaoqi Lv,Meiqi Li,Peng Xi","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01930-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01930-x","url":null,"abstract":"Super-resolution imaging has revolutionized our ability to visualize biological structures at subcellular scales. However, deep-tissue super-resolution imaging remains constrained by background interference, which leads to limited depth penetration and compromised imaging fidelity. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel imaging system, confocal² spinning-disk image scanning microscopy (C2SD-ISM). It integrates a spinning-disk (SD) confocal microscope, which physically eliminates out-of-focus signals, forming the first confocal level. A digital micromirror device (DMD) is employed for sparse multifocal illumination, combined with a dynamic pinhole array pixel reassignment (DPA-PR) algorithm for ISM super-resolution reconstruction, forming the second confocal level. The dual confocal configuration enhances system resolution, while effectively mitigating scattering background interference. Compared to computational out-of-focus signal removal, SD preserves the original intensity distribution as the penetration depth increases, achieving an imaging depth of up to 180 μm. Additionally, the DPA-PR algorithm effectively corrects Stokes shifts, optical aberrations, and other non-ideal conditions, achieving a lateral resolution of 144 nm and an axial resolution of 351 nm, and a linear correlation of up to 92% between the original confocal and the reconstructed image, thereby enabling high-fidelity super-resolution imaging. Moreover, the system's programmable illumination via the DMD allows for seamless realization with structured illumination microscopy modality, offering excellent scalability and ease of use. Altogether, these capabilities make the C2SD-ISM system a versatile tool, advancing cellular imaging and tissue-scale exploration for modern bioimaging needs.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"30 1","pages":"260"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wide-field fluorescence lifetime imaging of single molecules with a gated single-photon camera","authors":"Nathan Ronceray, Salim Bennani, Marianna Fanouria Mitsioni, Nicole Siegel, Maria J. Marcaida, Claudio Bruschini, Edoardo Charbon, Rahul Roy, Matteo Dal Peraro, Guillermo P. Acuna, Aleksandra Radenovic","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01901-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01901-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is a powerful tool to discriminate fluorescent molecules or probe their nanoscale environment. Traditionally, FLIM uses time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), which is precise but intrinsically low-throughput due to its dependence on point detectors. Although time-gated cameras have demonstrated the potential for high-throughput FLIM in bright samples with dense labeling, their use in single-molecule microscopy has not been explored extensively. Here, we report fast and accurate single-molecule FLIM with a commercial time-gated single-photon camera. Our optimized acquisition scheme achieves single-molecule lifetime measurements with a precision only about three times less than TCSPC, while imaging with a large number of pixels (512 × 512) allowing for the spatial multiplexing of over 3000 molecules. With this approach, we demonstrate parallelized lifetime measurements of large numbers of labeled pore-forming proteins on supported lipid bilayers, and temporal single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer measurements at 5-25 Hz. This method holds considerable promise for the advancement of multi-target single-molecule localization microscopy and biopolymer sequencing.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Author Correction: Advancements in ultrafast photonics: confluence of nonlinear optics and intelligent strategies","authors":"Qing Wu, Liuxing Peng, Zhihao Huang, Xiaolei Liu, Meng Luo, Danheng Gao, Haoran Meng","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01868-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01868-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Correction to: <i>Light: Science &amp; Applications</i>,</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144778571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantum correlation-enhanced dual-comb spectroscopy","authors":"Zhuoren Wan, Yuan Chen, Xiuxiu Zhang, Ming Yan, Heping Zeng","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01891-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01891-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS) is a powerful technique for spectroscopic sensing, offering exceptional spectral bandwidth, resolution, precision, and speed. However, its performance is fundamentally limited by quantum noise inherent to coherent-state optical combs. Here, we overcome this barrier by introducing quantum correlation-enhanced DCS using correlated twin combs generated via seeded four-wave mixing. One comb acts as a local oscillator to decode molecular signals, while the twin suppresses shot noise through intensity-difference squeezing, achieving a 2 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement beyond the shot-noise limit—equivalent to a 2.6× measurement speed enhancement. Notably, when coupled with up-conversion spectroscopy, our technique records comb-line-resolved, high-resolution (7.5 pm) spectra in the critical 3 μm region for molecular fingerprinting. These results bridge quantum optics and frequency comb spectroscopy, offering great potential for trace gas detection, precision metrology, and chemical analysis. Future developments in detector efficiency and nanophotonic integration could further enhance its scalability and impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144756482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experimental composable key distribution using discrete-modulated continuous variable quantum cryptography","authors":"Adnan A. E. Hajomer, Florian Kanitschar, Nitin Jain, Michael Hentschel, Runjia Zhang, Norbert Lütkenhaus, Ulrik L. Andersen, Christoph Pacher, Tobias Gehring","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01924-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01924-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Establishing secure data communication necessitates secure key exchange over a public channel. Quantum key distribution (QKD), which leverages the principles of quantum physics, can achieve this with information-theoretic security. The discrete modulated (DM) continuous variable (CV) QKD protocol, in particular, is a suitable candidate for large-scale deployment of quantum-safe communication due to its simplicity and compatibility with standard high-speed telecommunication technology. Here, we present the first experimental demonstration of a four-state DM CVQKD system, successfully generating composable finite-size keys, secure against collective attacks over a 20 km fiber channel with 2.3 × 10⁹ coherent quantum states, achieving a positive composable key rate of 11.04 × 10⁻³ bits/symbol. This accomplishment is enabled by using an advanced security proof, meticulously selecting its parameters, and the fast, stable operation of the system. Our results mark a significant step toward the large-scale deployment of practical, high-performance, cost-effective, and highly secure quantum key distribution networks using standard telecommunication components.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144715365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-normal and biorthogonal dynamical quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian quantum walks","authors":"Haiting Zhang, Kunkun Wang, Lei Xiao, Peng Xue","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01919-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01919-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs), characterized by non-analytic behavior in rate function and abrupt changes in dynamic topological order parameters (DTOPs) over time, have garnered enormous attention in recent decades. However, in non-Hermitian systems, the special biorthogonality of the bases makes the definition of DQPTs complex. In this work, we delve into the comprehensive investigation of self-normal DQPTs (originally used in Hermitian systems) to compare them with their biorthogonal counterpart, within the context of non-Hermitian quantum walks (QWs). We present a detailed analysis of the behaviors of Loschmidt rate functions and DTOPs under these two distinct theoretical approaches. While both self-normal and biorthogonal methods can be used to detect DQPTs in quench dynamics between different topological phases, we theoretically present their differences in the definition of critical momenta and critical times by analyzing the Fisher zeros and fixed points. Finally, we present an experiment that observes both types of DQPTs using one-dimensional discrete-time QWs with single photons.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144710624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-propagating ghost phonon polaritons enabled by selective mode excitation","authors":"Manuka Suriyage, Qingyi Zhou, Hao Qin, Xueqian Sun, Zhuoyuan Lu, Stefan A. Maier, Zongfu Yu, Yuerui Lu","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01925-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01925-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The ability to precisely control the excitation of phonon polaritons (PhPs) provides unique opportunities for various nanophotonic applications, such as on-chip optical communication, quantum information processing, and controlled thermal radiation. Recently, ghost hyperbolic phonon polaritons (g-HPs) have been discovered, which exhibit in-plane hyperbolic dispersion on the surface and oblique wavefronts in the bulk. These g-HPs exhibit long-range, ray-like propagation, which is highly desirable. However, selective excitation of polaritonic modes and flexible control over the directionality of g-HPs remains an open problem. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that changing the shape of the launching micro/nano antenna allows for control over the polariton mode excitation. Using a single asymmetric triangular gold antenna fabricated on a calcite crystal surface, we showcase highly directional g-HP excitation through selectively exciting desirable polariton modes. Our near-field imaging experiments verify that the g-HP excited by the triangular antenna can propagate over 80 microns, which is consistent with our numerical predictions. Overall, by combining g-HP theory with structural engineering, our work has further developed the potential of such anisotropic materials, enabling unexpected control over g-HPs, thus opening opportunities for various applications in mid-IR optoelectronics.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144710574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}