Research

A microscope technique able to image every neuron in a fruit fly brain, and some of the remarkable healing properties of light for treating neurological conditions, were two topics discussed during a neurophotonics plenary session at Photonics West. Greg Blackman reports

Greg Blackman reports from SPIE Photonics West, where the first image sensors based on graphene-CMOS integration were on display

Jessica Rowbury looks at how some of the technologies demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in January will transform the driving experience

The heavens open on Jessica Rowbury as she looks at the science behind the sweet smell of summer rain

Matthew Dale takes a look at some of the space technologies presented at Laser World of Photonics, including lidar for global methane analysis and laser communication technology

Smart surgical tools will significantly improve the accuracy of operations, according to speakers at the European Photonic Industry Consortium’s recent AGM, and photonics will play a key role. Matthew Dale reports

Greg Blackman listens in to Professor Dr Karsten Danzmann giving his plenary session on gravitational wave astronomy at Photonics West

On 14 September, the scientific community celebrated the anniversary of gravitational wave detection. Professor Martin Hendry from the University of Glasgow, whose team helped construct the LIGO facilities, discusses the work that preceded last year's discovery and what the future holds for the field of gravitational-wave astronomy

With the release of the much-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens this week, Jessica Rowbury discusses whether photonics technologies could ever be used to build a real-life lightsaber

During an optical metrology conference at the Photonex trade fair, Professor David Neely from the UK's Central Laser Facility described the latest work for increasing the damage thresholds of some of the highest intensity lasers in Europe. Jessica Rowbury reports