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Gabay M, Triscone J-M. Superconductors: Terahertz superconducting switch. Nat Photon. 2011;5(8):447–9.
Abstract: The use of terahertz pulses to 'gate' interlayer charge transport in a superconductor could lead to a variety of new and interesting applications.
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Capmany J, Gasulla I, Sales S. Microwave photonics: Harnessing slow light. Nat Photon. 2011;5(12):731–3.
Abstract: Slow-light techniques originally conceived for buffering high-speed digital optical signals now look set to play an important role in providing broadband phase and true time delays for microwave signals.
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Lydersen L, Wiechers C, Wittmann C, Elser D, Skaar J, Makarov V. Hacking commercial quantum cryptography systems by tailored bright illumination. Nat Photon. 2010;4(10):686–9.
Abstract: The peculiar properties of quantum mechanics allow two remote parties to communicate a private, secret key, which is protected from eavesdropping by the laws of physics. So-called quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations always rely on detectors to measure the relevant quantum property of single photons. Here we demonstrate experimentally that the detectors in two commercially available QKD systems can be fully remote-controlled using specially tailored bright illumination. This makes it possible to tracelessly acquire the full secret key; we propose an eavesdropping apparatus built of off-the-shelf components. The loophole is likely to be present in most QKD systems using avalanche photodiodes to detect single photons. We believe that our findings are crucial for strengthening the security of practical QKD, by identifying and patching technological deficiencies.
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Schwarz B. Lidar: Mapping the world in 3D. Nat Photon. 2010;4(7):429–30.
Abstract: A high-definition LIDAR system with a rotating sensor head containing 64 semiconductor lasers allows the efficient generation of 3D environment maps at unprecedented levels of detail.
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Kosako T, Kadoya Y, Hofmann HF. Directional control of light by a nano-optical Yagi–Uda antenna. Nat Photon. 2010;4:312–5.
Abstract: The plasmon resonance of metal nanoparticles can direct light from optical emitters in much the same way that radiofrequency antennas direct the emission from electrical circuits. Recently, rapid progress has been made in the realization of single-element antennas for optical waves. Because most of these devices are designed to optimize the local near-field coupling between the antenna and an emitter, the possibility of modifying the spatial radiation pattern has not yet received as much attention. In the radiofrequency regime, a typical antenna design for high directivity is the Yagi–Uda antenna, which essentially consists of a one-dimensional array of antenna elements driven by a single feed element. By fabricating a corresponding array of nanoparticles, similar radiation patterns can be obtained in the optical regime. Here, we present the experimental demonstration of directional control of radiation from a nano-optical Yagi–Uda antenna composed of appropriately tuned gold nanorods.
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