Nikolai Basov 1922 – 2001
The pioneering Russian physicist whose work led to the invention of the laser dies at 78
Molecular storage ring makes its debut
The multitude of energy levels found in molecules has so far defeated the use of laser-based techniques, which rely on exciting transitions that can spontaneously radiate and return to the original le...
Organic metal challenges superconductor paradigm
Moreover, the material in question – an organic crystalline solid called lambda-(BETS)2FeCl4 – contains a large concentration of magnetic ions (S Uji et al. 2001 Nature 410 908). The disco...
Surface acoustic waves go under the microscope
Surface acoustic waves are commonly found in the electronic circuitry of everyday appliances, such as mobile phones and televisions, where they are used to filter frequencies. Surface acoustic waves a...
Colourful electrons solve puzzle of ferromagnetism
The spins on electrons can be either up or down and, depending on the spin-spin interactions, materials can be ferromagnetic (i.e. all the spins pointing in the same direction) or antiferromagnetic (i...
Read article: Electronics turns over a new leaf
Electronics turns over a new leaf
Packaging materials that display animated adverts and containers that sound an alarm if their contents go mouldy are just two possibilities that could result from a new area of technology calle...
Nanotubes are the new superconductors
Carbon nanotubes add resistance-free current flow to their repertoire
Read article: Elastic lava blows its top
Elastic lava blows its top
The viscoelastic properties of lava could explain the 'chugging' action of some volcanoes
Read article: Physicist mooted as new US science advisor
Physicist mooted as new US science advisor
Bush nominates the current director of the Brookhaven National Lab
Read article: Liquid marbles roll out
Liquid marbles roll out
Spheres of liquid that do not wet a surface could be used in micro-fluid devices
