Nature Photonics Nature Photonics is an exciting forum serving the dynamic fields of photonics and optics. Every month Nature Photonics publishes original top-quality optics research, plus a compelling mix of news and reviews, industry perspectives and regular technology focuses, in print and online. http://www.nature.com/nphoton/current_issue/ Nature Publishing Group en © 2008 Nature Publishing Group Nature Photonics 1748-3387 1748-3395 © 2008 Nature Publishing Group permissions@nature.com Nature Photonics http://www.nature.com/includes/rj_globnavimages/nphoton_logo.gif http://www.nature.com/nphoton/ This issue http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.231 This issue

Nature Photonics 2, v (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.231

]]> This issue doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.231 Nature Photonics 2, v (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 In This Issue v v A green revolution http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.232 Climate change is going to force mankind to change the way it behaves, especially when it comes to energy consumption. Photonics could have a significant role to play. A green revolution

Nature Photonics 2, 703 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.232

Climate change is going to force mankind to change the way it behaves, especially when it comes to energy consumption. Photonics could have a significant role to play.

]]> A green revolution doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.232 Nature Photonics 2, 703 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Editorial 703 703 A new light in dentistry http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.235 A visit to a dental clinic could cease to be a fearsome experience. Duncan Graham-Rowe finds out how lasers can help dentists to provide patients with more comfortable and convenient dental treatments. A new light in dentistry

Nature Photonics 2, 705 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.235

Author: Duncan Graham-Rowe

A visit to a dental clinic could cease to be a fearsome experience. Duncan Graham-Rowe finds out how lasers can help dentists to provide patients with more comfortable and convenient dental treatments.

]]> A new light in dentistry Duncan Graham-Rowe doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.235 Nature Photonics 2, 705 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Out of the lab 705 707 Watching entanglement, fusing human cells, terawatt diode–pumped lasers and more http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.233 Watching entanglement, fusing human cells, terawatt diode–pumped lasers and more

Nature Photonics 2, 708 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.233

]]> Watching entanglement, fusing human cells, terawatt diode–pumped lasers and more doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.233 Nature Photonics 2, 708 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Research Highlights 708 709 Ultrafast optics: Femtosecond timing distribution http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.237 High-precision synchronization of remote timing sources is an increasing problem for large-area facilities, such as radio telescope arrays and particle accelerators. Femtosecond-pulse-train transfer by optical fibre may represent a solution. Ultrafast optics: Femtosecond timing distribution

Nature Photonics 2, 711 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.237

Author: Patrick Gill

High-precision synchronization of remote timing sources is an increasing problem for large-area facilities, such as radio telescope arrays and particle accelerators. Femtosecond-pulse-train transfer by optical fibre may represent a solution.

]]> Ultrafast optics: Femtosecond timing distribution Patrick Gill doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.237 Nature Photonics 2, 711 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 711 712 Frequency combs: Combs for dark energy http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.240 By using laser frequency combs to stabilize astronomical spectrometers, it may be possible to better understand our expanding Universe. Frequency combs: Combs for dark energy

Nature Photonics 2, 712 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.240

Author: Thomas R. Schibli

By using laser frequency combs to stabilize astronomical spectrometers, it may be possible to better understand our expanding Universe.

]]> Frequency combs: Combs for dark energy Thomas R. Schibli doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.240 Nature Photonics 2, 712 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 712 713 Chaotic lasers: The world's fastest dice http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.239 The dynamics of chaotic lasers can be harnessed to create a random-number generator that works at an astonishing rate. Such a generator could be implemented to make storage and transfer of data more secure at very high speeds. Chaotic lasers: The world's fastest dice

Nature Photonics 2, 714 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.239

Authors: Thomas E. Murphy & Rajarshi Roy

The dynamics of chaotic lasers can be harnessed to create a random-number generator that works at an astonishing rate. Such a generator could be implemented to make storage and transfer of data more secure at very high speeds.

]]> Chaotic lasers: The world's fastest dice Thomas E. Murphy Rajarshi Roy doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.239 Nature Photonics 2, 714 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 714 715 Optical delays: Slower for longer http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.238 Coupled optical microresonators are one way of slowing down light. A new record has now been set for the length of these slow-light waveguides using an array of more than 100 photonic-crystal cavities. Optical delays: Slower for longer

Nature Photonics 2, 715 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.238

Author: Richard M. De La Rue

Coupled optical microresonators are one way of slowing down light. A new record has now been set for the length of these slow-light waveguides using an array of more than 100 photonic-crystal cavities.

]]> Optical delays: Slower for longer Richard M. De La Rue doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.238 Nature Photonics 2, 715 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 715 716 Geometrical optics: The dynamics of spinning light http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.242 The effect of spin on the trajectories of polarized light beams has now been experimentally observed, with results that agree with the predictions of Berry phase theory. Geometrical optics: The dynamics of spinning light

Nature Photonics 2, 717 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.242

Author: Franco Nori

The effect of spin on the trajectories of polarized light beams has now been experimentally observed, with results that agree with the predictions of Berry phase theory.

]]> Geometrical optics: The dynamics of spinning light Franco Nori doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.242 Nature Photonics 2, 717 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 717 718 View from...Laserlab Europe: Femtosecond biophotonics http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.241 Ultrashort laser pulses now make it possible to fabricate a wide range of biomaterials and implants ranging from cell scaffolds to artificial microvalves. View from...Laserlab Europe: Femtosecond biophotonics

Nature Photonics 2, 718 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.241

Author: Oliver Graydon

Ultrashort laser pulses now make it possible to fabricate a wide range of biomaterials and implants ranging from cell scaffolds to artificial microvalves.

]]> View from...Laserlab Europe: Femtosecond biophotonics Oliver Graydon doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.241 Nature Photonics 2, 718 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 718 719 Single-photon detector: Free from polarization http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.236 Single-photon detector: Free from polarization

Nature Photonics 2, 719 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.236

Author: Rachel Won

]]> Single-photon detector: Free from polarization Rachel Won doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.236 Nature Photonics 2, 719 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 News and Views 719 719 Ceramic laser materials http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.243 The word 'ceramics' is derived from the Greek keramos, meaning pottery and porcelain. The opaque and translucent cement and clay often used in tableware are not appropriate for optical applications because of the high content of optical scattering sources, that is, defects. Recently, scientists have shown that by eliminating the defects, a new, refined ceramic material — polycrystalline ceramic — can be produced. This advanced ceramic material offers practical laser generation and is anticipated to be a highly attractive alternative to conventional glass and single-crystal laser technologies in the future. Here we review the history of the development of ceramic lasers, the principle of laser generation based on this material, some typical results achieved with ceramic lasers so far, and discuss the potential future outlook for the field. Ceramic laser materials

Nature Photonics 2, 721 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.243

Authors: Akio Ikesue & Yan Lin Aung

The word 'ceramics' is derived from the Greek keramos, meaning pottery and porcelain. The opaque and translucent cement and clay often used in tableware are not appropriate for optical applications because of the high content of optical scattering sources, that is, defects. Recently, scientists have shown that by eliminating the defects, a new, refined ceramic material — polycrystalline ceramic — can be produced. This advanced ceramic material offers practical laser generation and is anticipated to be a highly attractive alternative to conventional glass and single-crystal laser technologies in the future. Here we review the history of the development of ceramic lasers, the principle of laser generation based on this material, some typical results achieved with ceramic lasers so far, and discuss the potential future outlook for the field.

]]> Ceramic laser materials Akio Ikesue Yan Lin Aung doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.243 Nature Photonics 2, 721 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Review 721 727 Fast physical random bit generation with chaotic semiconductor lasers http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.227 Random-number generators are important in digital information systems. However, the speed at which current sources operate is much slower than the typical data rates used in communication and computing. Chaos in semiconductor lasers might help to bridge the gap. Fast physical random bit generation with chaotic semiconductor lasers

Nature Photonics 2, 728 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.227

Authors: Atsushi Uchida, Kazuya Amano, Masaki Inoue, Kunihito Hirano, Sunao Naito, Hiroyuki Someya, Isao Oowada, Takayuki Kurashige, Masaru Shiki, Shigeru Yoshimori, Kazuyuki Yoshimura & Peter Davis

]]> Fast physical random bit generation with chaotic semiconductor lasers Atsushi Uchida Kazuya Amano Masaki Inoue Kunihito Hirano Sunao Naito Hiroyuki Someya Isao Oowada Takayuki Kurashige Masaru Shiki Shigeru Yoshimori Kazuyuki Yoshimura Peter Davis doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.227 Nature Photonics 2, 728 (2008) 2008-11-23 Nature Photonics 2008-11-23 2 12 Letter 728 732 Drift-free femtosecond timing synchronization of remote optical and microwave sources http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.225 Femtosecond-scale synchronization using mode-locked lasers has been limited to periods of just a few minutes. Now it is shown that, by combining a number of laser techniques, sub-10-fs-precision synchronization of remote lasers and microwave sources is possible for more than 10 hours. Drift-free femtosecond timing synchronization of remote optical and microwave sources

Nature Photonics 2, 733 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.225

Authors: Jungwon Kim, Jonathan A. Cox, Jian Chen & Franz X. Kärtner

]]> Drift-free femtosecond timing synchronization of remote optical and microwave sources Jungwon Kim Jonathan A. Cox Jian Chen Franz X. Kärtner doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.225 Nature Photonics 2, 733 (2008) 2008-11-02 Nature Photonics 2008-11-02 2 12 Letter 733 736 Low-power continuous-wave nonlinear optics in doped silica glass integrated waveguide structures http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.228 The ability to perform low-power, continuous-wave nonlinear optics, in particular four-wave mixing, is demonstrated in doped-silica-glass waveguide ring resonators. The device's low loss and ease of manufacture may make the approach suitable for nonlinear all-optical photonic integrated circuits. Low-power continuous-wave nonlinear optics in doped silica glass integrated waveguide structures

Nature Photonics 2, 737 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.228

Authors: M. Ferrera, L. Razzari, D. Duchesne, R. Morandotti, Z. Yang, M. Liscidini, J. E. Sipe, S. Chu, B. E. Little & D. J. Moss

]]> Low-power continuous-wave nonlinear optics in doped silica glass integrated waveguide structures M. Ferrera L. Razzari D. Duchesne R. Morandotti Z. Yang M. Liscidini J. E. Sipe S. Chu B. E. Little D. J. Moss doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.228 Nature Photonics 2, 737 (2008) 2008-11-23 Nature Photonics 2008-11-23 2 12 Letter 737 740 Large-scale arrays of ultrahigh-Q coupled nanocavities http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.226 Coupled optical resonators are one approach to slowing the propagation of light. An array of more than 100 such resonators has now been demonstrated using a photonic crystal. Such a structure can slow light down to below 1% of its speed in a vacuum. Large-scale arrays of ultrahigh-Q coupled nanocavities

Nature Photonics 2, 741 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.226

Authors: Masaya Notomi, Eiichi Kuramochi & Takasumi Tanabe

]]> Large-scale arrays of ultrahigh-Q coupled nanocavities Masaya Notomi Eiichi Kuramochi Takasumi Tanabe doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.226 Nature Photonics 2, 741 (2008) 2008-11-23 Nature Photonics 2008-11-23 2 12 Article 741 747 Geometrodynamics of spinning light http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.229 The spin Hall effect, an interaction between particles because of their intrinsic spin, is a central tenet in the field of spintronics. The direct observation of an optical equivalent of the spin Hall effect is now reported. Geometrodynamics of spinning light

Nature Photonics 2, 748 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.229

Authors: Konstantin Y. Bliokh, Avi Niv, Vladimir Kleiner & Erez Hasman

]]> Geometrodynamics of spinning light Konstantin Y. Bliokh Avi Niv Vladimir Kleiner Erez Hasman doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.229 Nature Photonics 2, 748 (2008) 2008-11-23 Nature Photonics 2008-11-23 2 12 Article 748 753 Photonics at NPG http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.244 A round-up of recent papers in the field of photonics published by the physical sciences division of the Nature Publishing Group. Photonics at NPG

Nature Photonics 2, 754 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.244

A round-up of recent papers in the field of photonics published by the physical sciences division of the Nature Publishing Group.

]]> Photonics at NPG doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.244 Nature Photonics 2, 754 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Photonics at NPG 754 755 Adaptive optics http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.245 The use of deformable mirrors to correct unwanted optical aberrations in real time is helping applications ranging from astronomy to biophotonics and data storage, reports Neil Savage. Adaptive optics

Nature Photonics 2, 756 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.245

Author: Neil Savage

The use of deformable mirrors to correct unwanted optical aberrations in real time is helping applications ranging from astronomy to biophotonics and data storage, reports Neil Savage.

]]> Adaptive optics Neil Savage doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.245 Nature Photonics 2, 756 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Product Focus 756 757 Perfect chaos http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2008.246 Laser noise and chaos are unwanted elements in most circumstances. However, scientists have now learnt how to put them to good use to generate high-quality random bit sequences. Atsushi Uchida from Saitama University in Japan tells Nature Photonics how. Perfect chaos

Nature Photonics 2, 760 (2008). doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.246

Laser noise and chaos are unwanted elements in most circumstances. However, scientists have now learnt how to put them to good use to generate high-quality random bit sequences. Atsushi Uchida from Saitama University in Japan tells Nature Photonics how.

]]> Perfect chaos doi:10.1038/nphoton.2008.246 Nature Photonics 2, 760 (2008) Nature Photonics 2 12 Interview 760 760