Read article: Could lasers synthesize heavy elements produced in neutron-star mergers? Lasers Research update Could lasers synthesize heavy elements produced in neutron-star mergers? For the moment, the answer is "no", but a new study suggests next-generation neutron sources could do the job
Read article: Soap bubbles transform into lasers Lasers Research update Soap bubbles transform into lasers Laser wavelengths depend on bubble's size, paving the way for bubble-laser-based sensors of pressure or ambient electric field
Read article: Dark solitons spotted in ring semiconductor lasers Lasers Research update Dark solitons spotted in ring semiconductor lasers Discovery could boost molecular spectroscopy and integrated optoelectronics
Read article: Ultrafast laser-based electron beam could help explore radiobiology of the FLASH effect Radiotherapy Research update Ultrafast laser-based electron beam could help explore radiobiology of the FLASH effect A femtosecond infrared laser tightly focused in ambient air generates a high-dose-rate MeV electron beam
Read article: Frequency comb identifies molecules every 20 nanoseconds Lasers Research update Frequency comb identifies molecules every 20 nanoseconds New laser-based system can resolve processes occurring on the nanosecond timescale
Read article: All-electric organic laser is a first Lasers Research update All-electric organic laser is a first New device does not need a separate light source to work, unlike existing versions
Read article: Laser speckle imaging assesses donor hearts Biophysics and bioengineering Research update Laser speckle imaging assesses donor hearts Improved imaging technique could provide valuable information regarding the quality of an organ to be transplanted
Read article: Laser-printed electronics could create next-generation medical implants Biomedical devices Research update Laser-printed electronics could create next-generation medical implants Researchers have succeeded in directly printing three-dimensional conducting polymer structures inside a living organism
Read article: ‘Trojan horse’ injection method enables ultracompact X-ray free-electron laser Lasers Research update ‘Trojan horse’ injection method enables ultracompact X-ray free-electron laser A plasma wakefield accelerator equipped with an advanced electron injection method could help miniaturize X-ray free-electron lasers to a fraction of their current size
Read article: Ultrafast laser camera images combustion in real time Lasers Research update Ultrafast laser camera images combustion in real time New device could shed fresh light on the processes that occur as hydrocarbons burn
Optics & Photonics Briefing This issue explores lasers and detectors, solar power, medical imaging and high-resolution displays