Kono, J. (2011). Coherent terahertz control. Nat. Photon., 5, 5–6.
Abstract: Spin and charge terahertz excitations in solids are promising for implementing future technologies such as spintronics and quantum computation, but coherently controlling them has been a significant challenge. Researchers have now manipulated coherent spin waves in an antiferromagnet using the intense magnetic field of ultrashort terahertz pulses.
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Gao, J., McMillan, J. F., & Wong, C. W. (2012). Nanophotonics: Remote on-chip coupling. Nat. Photon., 6(1), 7–8.
Abstract: Scientists have demonstrated strongly coupled photon states between two distant high-Q photonic crystal cavities connected by a photonic crystal waveguide. Remote dynamic control over the coupled states could aid the development of delay lines, optical buffers and qubit operations in both classical and quantum information processing.
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Santori, C., & Beausoleil, R. G. (2012). Quantum memory: Phonons in diamond crystals. Nat. Photon., 6, 10–12.
Abstract: The demonstration that quantum information can be stored in a bulk-diamond crystal in the form of an optically excited phonon gives researchers a new type of mechanical solid-state quantum memory to explore.
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Pile, D. (2012). How many bits can a photon carry. Nat. Photon., 6(1), 14–15.
Abstract: Quantum physics offers a way to enhance the amount of information a photon can carry, with potential applications in optical communication, lithography, metrology and imaging.
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Xu, X. A., & Wong, C. W. (2012). Quantum optics: Correlations on a chip. Nat. Photon., 6, 75–76.
Abstract: Researchers have developed a semiconductor structure capable of supporting quantum correlations between photons and strong single-photon nonlinearities, thus paving the way for the development of chip-based devices for quantum secure communications and quantum information processing.
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Akalin, T. (2012). Terahertz sources: Powerful photomixers. Nat. Photon., 6(2), 81.
Abstract: An efficient continuous-wave source of terahertz radiation that combines the outputs from two near-infrared semiconductor lasers in a novel photomixer looks set to benefit applications in spectroscopy and imaging.
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Novotny, L., & van Hulst, N. (2011). Antennas for light. Nat. Photon., 5(2), 83–90.
Abstract: Optical antennas are devices that convert freely propagating optical radiation into localized energy, and vice versa. They enable the control and manipulation of optical fields at the nanometre scale, and hold promise for enhancing the performance and efficiency of photodetection, light emission and sensing. Although many of the properties and parameters of optical antennas are similar to their radiowave and microwave counterparts, they have important differences resulting from their small size and the resonant properties of metal nanostructures. This Review summarizes the physical properties of optical antennas, provides a summary of some of the most important recent developments in the field, discusses the potential applications and identifies the future challenges and opportunities.
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Goulielmakis, E. (2012). Attosecond photonics: Extreme ultraviolet catastrophes. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 142–143.
Abstract: Extreme ultraviolet attosecond pulses, which emerge from the interaction of atoms with intense laser fields, play a central role in modern ultrafast science and the exploration of electron behaviour. Recent work now shows that catastrophe theory can help optimize the properties of these pulses.
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Schmidt, M. A. (2012). Integration: Fibres embrace optoelectronics. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 143–145.
Abstract: The demonstration of an in-fibre semiconductor photodetector with gigahertz bandwidth bodes well for the future development of hybrid fibre optoelectronics.
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He, R., Sazio, P. J. A., Peacock, A. C., Healy, N., Sparks, J. R., Krishnamurthi, M., et al. (2012). Integration of gigahertz-bandwidth semiconductor devices inside microstructured optical fibres. Nat. Photon., 6(3), 174–179.
Abstract: The prospect of an all-fibre optical communications network in which light can be generated, modulated and detected within the fibre itself without the need for discrete optoelectronic devices is an appealing one. However, to become a reality, this approach requires the incorporation of optoelectronic materials and functionalities into silica fibres to create a new breed of semiconductor-fibre hybrid devices for performing various tasks. Here, we report the integration of precisely doped semiconductor materials and high-quality rectifying semiconductor junctions into microstructured optical fibres, enabling high-speed, in-fibre functionalities such as photodetection at telecommunications wavelengths. These semiconductor-fibre hybrid devices exhibit a bandwidth of up to 3 GHz and seamless coupling to standard single-mode optical fibres.
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