Zhuoren Wan, Yuan Chen, Xiuxiu Zhang, Ming Yan, Heping Zeng
{"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}
Adnan A. E. Hajomer, Florian Kanitschar, Nitin Jain, Michael Hentschel, Runjia Zhang, Norbert Lütkenhaus, Ulrik L. Andersen, Christoph Pacher, Tobias Gehring
{"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 × 10<sup>9</sup> coherent quantum states, achieving a positive composable key rate of 11.04 × 10<sup>−3</sup> 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}
Manuka Suriyage, Qingyi Zhou, Hao Qin, Xueqian Sun, Zhuoyuan Lu, Stefan A. Maier, Zongfu Yu, Yuerui Lu
{"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}
{"title":"High-power, high-wall-plug-efficiency quantum cascade lasers with high-brightness in continuous wave operation at 3–300μm","authors":"Manijeh Razeghi, Yanbo Bai, Feihu Wang","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01935-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01935-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are unipolar quantum devices based on inter-sub-band transitions. They break the electron-hole recombination mechanism in traditional semiconductor lasers, overcome the long-lasting bottleneck which is that the emission wavelength of semiconductor laser is completely dependent on the bandgap of semiconductor materials. Therefore, their emission wavelength is able to cover the mid-infrared (mid-IR) range and the “Terahertz gap” that is previously inaccessible by any other semiconductor lasers. After thirty years development, QCLs have become the most promising light source in the mid-IR and THz regime. In this paper, we are going to present the strategies and methodologies to achieve high-power, high-wall-plug-efficiency (WPE) QCLs with high-brightness in room temperature continuous-wave (cw) operation at 3–300 μm. We will also review the recent breakthroughs in QCL community, especially the high-power, high WPE intersubband lasers in room temperature cw operation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144701741","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":"Rigid crosslinker-assisted nondestructive direct photolithograph for patterned QLED displays","authors":"Zhong Chen, Zhongwei Man, Shichao Rao, Jinxing Zhao, Shuaibing Wang, Runtong Zhang, Feng Teng, Aiwei Tang","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01918-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01918-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recently, colloidal quantum dots (QDs) with high luminescent efficiency and tunable colors have become ideal materials for next-generation display devices. Direct photolithography is a powerful tool for patterning QD devices, but it faces the serious issue of degradation in the photophysical properties of the patterned QDs. Here, we use relatively rigid cyclopentane as a bridging group to design the crosslinker CPTA, achieving high-resolution direct photolithography of QDs with nearly nondestructive under ambient conditions. The key to the crosslinker design is the introduction of a rigid bridging group that elevates the LUMO level, providing a stronger energy barrier to prevent QD electrons from being trapped or undergoing non-radiative recombination, thus preserving their PL and EL properties. The efficient and high-resolution RGB line and dot arrays were fabricated with pixel sizes down to 1 μm and a resolution of up to 6350 PPI. The patterned RGB QD films, especially red QDs, maintained their optical and optoelectronic properties, with patterned red QLEDs achieving peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 21% and a maximum luminance (<i>L</i><sub>max</sub>) of ~180,000 cd m⁻², matching pristine devices. These results highlight the importance of photo-crosslinker design for nondestructive QDs patterning, paving the way for advanced display applications in patterned QLED technology.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144693812","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}
Yixin Yang,Kexuan Liu,Yunhui Gao,Chen Wang,Liangcai Cao
{"title":"Advancements and challenges in inverse lithography technology: a review of artificial intelligence-based approaches.","authors":"Yixin Yang,Kexuan Liu,Yunhui Gao,Chen Wang,Liangcai Cao","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01923-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01923-w","url":null,"abstract":"Inverse lithography technology (ILT) is a promising approach in computational lithography to address the challenges posed by shrinking semiconductor device dimensions. The ILT leverages optimization algorithms to generate mask patterns, outperforming traditional optical proximity correction methods. This review provides an overview of ILT's principles, evolution, and applications, with an emphasis on integration with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. The review tracks recent advancements of ILT in model improvement and algorithmic efficiency. Challenges such as extended computational runtimes and mask-writing complexities are summarized, with potential solutions discussed. Despite these challenges, AI-driven methods, such as convolutional neural networks, deep neural networks, generative adversarial networks, and model-driven deep learning methods, are transforming ILT. AI-based approaches offer promising pathways to overcome existing limitations and support the adoption in high-volume manufacturing. Future research directions are explored to exploit ILT's potential and drive progress in the semiconductor industry.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"90 1","pages":"250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144693276","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}
Seunghan Lee, Hyobin Ham, Shahid Ameen, Byung Hak Jhun, SeungHwan Roh, Hyeono Yee, Chang Hyeok Lim, Yuchan Heo, Hyukmin Kweon, Dongheon Han, Do Hwan Kim, Youngmin You, BongSoo Kim, Moon Sung Kang
{"title":"Micrometer-scale indirect photopatterning of RGB OLED emissive layers in single phase network structure","authors":"Seunghan Lee, Hyobin Ham, Shahid Ameen, Byung Hak Jhun, SeungHwan Roh, Hyeono Yee, Chang Hyeok Lim, Yuchan Heo, Hyukmin Kweon, Dongheon Han, Do Hwan Kim, Youngmin You, BongSoo Kim, Moon Sung Kang","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01907-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01907-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) used in virtual and augmented reality displays require micrometer-scale red-green-blue (RGB) pixel patterns in the emissive layer (EML). However, conventional patterning methods based on evaporation and shadow masks can only produce patterns larger than tens of micrometers owing to the geometric constraint of the mask. Herein, an indirect method for photopatterning solution-processed OLED EMLs is proposed, which can be used to form micrometer-scale RGB pixel patterns without involving direct exposure to UV radiation or harsh etching processes on EMLs. EMLs can be patterned by i) forming a sacrificial photoresist (PR) pattern, ii) spin-coating an EML film, iii) converting the EML film into a single-phase network (SPN) structure by crosslinking vinylbenzyl-group-appended hosts and dopants at a low temperature, and iv) stripping the pre-formed PR pattern. Furthermore, repeating the process thrice results in the formation of RGB EML patterns. During the repeated process, the sacrificial PR pattern serves as a protective layer for the underlying EML pattern, effectively preventing the EML pattern from being exposed to solutions in subsequent processes. Using a conventional photolithography setup, we produced sets of RGB EML patterns with densities exceeding 3000 patterns/in., which indicated the potential of the method for industrial use.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144677388","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":"Scalable X-ray scintillators with bright singlet-triplet hybrid self-trapping excitons","authors":"Shi-Yu Song, Chao-Jun Gao, Rui Zhou, Bing-Zhe Wang, Wen-Bo Zhao, Qing Cao, Yan-Wei Hu, Lin Dong, Kai-Kai Liu, Chong-Xin Shan","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01869-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01869-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Size-scalable X-ray scintillators with high transparency and robust photon yield allow for imaging large objects with greater precision and detail. Solution-processable scintillators, typically crafted from quantum dots (QDs), are promising candidates for highly efficient scintillation applications. However, the restricted size and low transparency in QD-based scintillators lead to less efficient X-ray imaging for large objects requiring high resolution. Herein, we demonstrate a meter-scale ZnO QD scintillator with a visible range transmittance exceeding 96%, featuring bright singlet-triplet hybrid self-trapping excitons (STEs). The quantum yields (QYs) of singlet excitons and triplet excitons are 44.7% and 26.3%. Benefiting from a large Stokes shift and bright triplet excitons, the scintillator has a negligible self-absorption and elevated photon yields. Additionally, the scintillator exhibits exchange invariance, demonstrating identical optical performance upon exchanging the coordinates (<i>r</i>) of the QDs. Featuring bright singlet-triplet hybrid STEs and high transparency, the scintillator achieves high resolution X-ray imaging of 42-line pairs per millimeter (42 lp mm<sup>−1</sup>) at a meter scale. Moreover, demonstrations of 5000 cm<sup>2</sup> X-ray imaging and real-time dynamic X-ray imaging are presented. The lowest detectable dose rate for X-ray detection is as low as 37.63 ± 0.4 nGy s<sup>−1</sup>. This work presents a novel sizable and transparent scintillator with bright singlet-triplet hybrid STEs, showcasing their potential in high-resolution and sizable object X-ray imaging.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144677391","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":"Image processing with Optical matrix vector multipliers implemented for encoding and decoding tasks","authors":"Minjoo Kim, Yelim Kim, Won Il Park","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-01904-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01904-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study introduces an optical neural network (ONN)-based autoencoder for efficient image processing, utilizing specialized optical matrix-vector multipliers for both encoding and decoding tasks. To address the challenges in efficient decoding, we propose a method that optimizes output processing through scalar multiplications, enhancing performance in generating higher-dimensional outputs. By employing on-system iterative tuning, we mitigate hardware imperfections and noise, progressively improving image reconstruction accuracy to near-digital quality. Furthermore, our approach supports noise reduction and optical image generation, enabling models such as denoising autoencoders, variational autoencoders, and generative adversarial networks. Our results demonstrate that ONN-based systems have the potential to surpass the energy efficiency of traditional electronic systems, enabling real-time, low-power image processing in applications such as medical imaging, autonomous vehicles, and edge computing.</p>","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144677392","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}