Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1038/s41377-025-02114-3
Van Tu Nguyen, Carlos Taboada, Jesse Delia, Tri Vu, Luca Menozzi, Soon-Woo Cho, Jing Li, Nishad Jayasundara, Anthony DiSpirito, Junjie Yao
Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) systems often face challenges in simultaneously achieving high speed, high resolution, high sensitivity, and a large field of view (FOV). To address this challenge, we have developed dual-channel PAM (DC-PAM) that can expand the FOV without compromising the imaging speed, detection sensitivity, or spatial resolution. DC-PAM has two identical, independent channels of laser excitation and acoustic detection. It exploits two facets of a single hexagon scanner to concurrently steer the dual excitation laser beams and the resultant acoustic waves. DC-PAM achieves an ultra-wide FOV of 22.5 × 24 mm² with a total functional imaging time of ~15 s. Proof-of-concept experiments were conducted using DC-PAM on freely-swimming zebrafish, hypoxia-challenged mice, and sleeping glassfrogs, all of which benefit from the large FOV and high imaging speed to track the dynamic and physiological processes at the whole-organ or whole-body level. These applications demonstrate the potential of DC-PAM for a wide range of biological studies.
{"title":"Dual-channel high-speed functional photoacoustic microscopy with ultra-wide field of view","authors":"Van Tu Nguyen, Carlos Taboada, Jesse Delia, Tri Vu, Luca Menozzi, Soon-Woo Cho, Jing Li, Nishad Jayasundara, Anthony DiSpirito, Junjie Yao","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02114-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02114-3","url":null,"abstract":"Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) systems often face challenges in simultaneously achieving high speed, high resolution, high sensitivity, and a large field of view (FOV). To address this challenge, we have developed dual-channel PAM (DC-PAM) that can expand the FOV without compromising the imaging speed, detection sensitivity, or spatial resolution. DC-PAM has two identical, independent channels of laser excitation and acoustic detection. It exploits two facets of a single hexagon scanner to concurrently steer the dual excitation laser beams and the resultant acoustic waves. DC-PAM achieves an ultra-wide FOV of 22.5 × 24 mm² with a total functional imaging time of ~15 s. Proof-of-concept experiments were conducted using DC-PAM on freely-swimming zebrafish, hypoxia-challenged mice, and sleeping glassfrogs, all of which benefit from the large FOV and high imaging speed to track the dynamic and physiological processes at the whole-organ or whole-body level. These applications demonstrate the potential of DC-PAM for a wide range of biological studies.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1038/s41377-025-02154-9
Guojun Zhou, Pei Wang, Qiqiong Ren, Nan Zhang, Jin Lv, Yilin Mao, Jianwei Qiao, Xian-Ming Zhang
Magneto-optical coupling provides a powerful alternative to crystal field engineering for modulating Mn2+ luminescence. However, precise control over Mn–Mn coupling is hindered by the complex spin-electron super-exchange interactions. Herein, we report a symmetry-broken Mn(II) chloride dimer, (C10H20O5Mn)(CH3CN)MnCl4, synthesized through a crown-ether-assisted supramolecular strategy. The dimer features a 7-coordinated pentagonal bipyramid and a 4-coordinated tetrahedron linked by a distorted Mn–Cl–Mn bridge (129°), which promotes rare spin-canted Mn–Mn coupling and creates a novel Mn–Mn luminescent center. This center exhibits a red emission at 638 nm with an unusually short lifetime of 0.42 ms, which is attributed to the relaxation of spin-forbidden d–d transitions. Notably, the emission undergoes a 30 nm blue-shift upon heating (5–305 K) due to the thermal suppression of spin-canting, and a 40 nm blue-shift under applied pressure (0–20 MPa) resulting from reduced orbital overlap. This dual-responsive luminescence originates from spin-canted weak ferromagnetism, which induces a rearrangement of energy-levels by separating antibonding orbitals. Using this effect, we have demonstrated an optical manometer for real-time underwater depth sensing. These findings highlight spin-canted Mn(II) dimers as a promising platform for stimuli-responsive luminescence and reveal a new mechanism for d–d transition modulation.
{"title":"Spin-canted Mn–Mn coupling in symmetry-broken metal chloride dimer with dual-responsive luminescence and sensing","authors":"Guojun Zhou, Pei Wang, Qiqiong Ren, Nan Zhang, Jin Lv, Yilin Mao, Jianwei Qiao, Xian-Ming Zhang","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02154-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02154-9","url":null,"abstract":"Magneto-optical coupling provides a powerful alternative to crystal field engineering for modulating Mn2+ luminescence. However, precise control over Mn–Mn coupling is hindered by the complex spin-electron super-exchange interactions. Herein, we report a symmetry-broken Mn(II) chloride dimer, (C10H20O5Mn)(CH3CN)MnCl4, synthesized through a crown-ether-assisted supramolecular strategy. The dimer features a 7-coordinated pentagonal bipyramid and a 4-coordinated tetrahedron linked by a distorted Mn–Cl–Mn bridge (129°), which promotes rare spin-canted Mn–Mn coupling and creates a novel Mn–Mn luminescent center. This center exhibits a red emission at 638 nm with an unusually short lifetime of 0.42 ms, which is attributed to the relaxation of spin-forbidden d–d transitions. Notably, the emission undergoes a 30 nm blue-shift upon heating (5–305 K) due to the thermal suppression of spin-canting, and a 40 nm blue-shift under applied pressure (0–20 MPa) resulting from reduced orbital overlap. This dual-responsive luminescence originates from spin-canted weak ferromagnetism, which induces a rearrangement of energy-levels by separating antibonding orbitals. Using this effect, we have demonstrated an optical manometer for real-time underwater depth sensing. These findings highlight spin-canted Mn(II) dimers as a promising platform for stimuli-responsive luminescence and reveal a new mechanism for d–d transition modulation.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146057208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Organic semiconductors have been widely utilized in displays, solar cells, detectors, and other fields due to their tunable optoelectronic properties and simple fabrication processes. However, fabricating organic electrically pumped lasers remains an unresolved challenge. The low mobility of organic molecules struggles to sustain the current injection required for electrically pumped lasing, and the free carriers and triplets generated under high current density also quench the gain characteristics. In device fabrication, high-conductivity electrodes and resonant cavities are inevitably accompanied by optical losses, which decrease the quality factor of the resonator and further elevate the threshold current density for electrical pumping. Here, we fabricated an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) characteristics and excellent electrical performance, capable of injecting a current density of 13 kA cm −2 under 15-ns electrical pulse driving. By leveraging short-pulse driving to mitigate triplet accumulation and utilizing the TTA effect to suppress singlet-triplet annihilation (STA), the device can still remain nearly 1% external quantum efficiency (EQE) with 1 kA cm −2 current injection and achieved a record-high output power of 56 W cm −2 , which can sustain population inversion. The OLED was integrated into a high-quality distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) microcavity with ultrathin electrodes, realizing narrow-band light emission with a spectral linewidth of 5.5 nm under 13 kA cm −2 current injection. This work paves the way for future fabrication of organic electrically pumped lasers with gain characteristics.
有机半导体由于其可调谐的光电特性和简单的制造工艺，在显示器、太阳能电池、探测器等领域得到了广泛的应用。然而，制造有机电泵浦激光器仍然是一个未解决的挑战。有机分子的低迁移率难以维持电泵浦激光所需的电流注入，并且在高电流密度下产生的自由载流子和三重态也淬灭了增益特性。在器件制造中，高导电性电极和谐振腔不可避免地伴随着光损耗，这降低了谐振腔的质量因子，进一步提高了电泵浦的阈值电流密度。在这里，我们制作了一个具有三重湮灭（TTA）特性和优异电性能的有机发光二极管（OLED），能够在15-ns电脉冲驱动下注入13 kA cm−2的电流密度。通过利用短脉冲驱动来减轻三重态积累，利用TTA效应来抑制单重态-三重态湮灭（STA），该器件在注入1 kA cm−2电流的情况下仍能保持近1%的外量子效率（EQE），并实现了创纪录的56 W cm−2的高输出功率，可以维持种群反转。将OLED集成到具有超薄电极的高质量分布式Bragg反射器（DBR）微腔中，在13 kA cm−2电流注入下实现了谱线宽度为5.5 nm的窄带发光。这项工作为未来制造具有增益特性的有机电泵激光器铺平了道路。
{"title":"Ultrahigh-radiance TTA-based OLED with 13 kA cm−2 current injection","authors":"Jichen Zhao, Yu Mao, Wansheng Liu, Zengyi Peng, Xu Wang, Jianhua Zou, Jianbin Wang, Dan Chen, Dongge Ma, Hongbin Wu, Bin Hu, Junbiao Peng","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02134-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02134-z","url":null,"abstract":"Organic semiconductors have been widely utilized in displays, solar cells, detectors, and other fields due to their tunable optoelectronic properties and simple fabrication processes. However, fabricating organic electrically pumped lasers remains an unresolved challenge. The low mobility of organic molecules struggles to sustain the current injection required for electrically pumped lasing, and the free carriers and triplets generated under high current density also quench the gain characteristics. In device fabrication, high-conductivity electrodes and resonant cavities are inevitably accompanied by optical losses, which decrease the quality factor of the resonator and further elevate the threshold current density for electrical pumping. Here, we fabricated an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) characteristics and excellent electrical performance, capable of injecting a current density of 13 kA cm <jats:sup>−</jats:sup> <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> under 15-ns electrical pulse driving. By leveraging short-pulse driving to mitigate triplet accumulation and utilizing the TTA effect to suppress singlet-triplet annihilation (STA), the device can still remain nearly 1% external quantum efficiency (EQE) with 1 kA cm <jats:sup>−</jats:sup> <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> current injection and achieved a record-high output power of 56 W cm <jats:sup>−</jats:sup> <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> , which can sustain population inversion. The OLED was integrated into a high-quality distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) microcavity with ultrathin electrodes, realizing narrow-band light emission with a spectral linewidth of 5.5 nm under 13 kA cm <jats:sup>−</jats:sup> <jats:sup>2</jats:sup> current injection. This work paves the way for future fabrication of organic electrically pumped lasers with gain characteristics.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"291 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This work demonstrates a novel crystal-in-glass composite structure for multifunctional micro-nano light sources in integrated photonics. Based on a Er3+/Yb3+-codoped glass-ceramic (GC) whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity incorporating Ba2TiGe2O8 (BTG) crystals, this microcavity enables dual-mode responses combining upconversion (UC) and frequency-doubled lasing. Made from a low-phonon-energy germanate glass matrix codoped with Er3+/Yb3+ for UC gain, the microcavity is crystallized to form BTG microcrystals for second harmonic generation (SHG). By leveraging the high-quality factor (Q ≈ 5.7 × 104) and small mode volume, we achieve green (550 nm) and red (660 nm) UC lasing in a 30-μm-diameter microcavity with low thresholds of 13.31 μW and 12.97 μW, respectively. Benefitted from the random quasi-phase-matching (RQPM) mechanism in BTG GC, the microcavity also demonstrates an ultrabroadband frequency-doubling response from 900 to 1200 nm. By combining tapered fiber near-field coupling and femtosecond free-space pumping, we achieve simultaneous output of green/red UC lasing and frequency-doubled lasing within a single microcavity. We believe this work offers insights into hybrid material design and cooperative optical field manipulation for tunable lasers and on-chip nonlinear photonic systems.
{"title":"A monolithic microcavity laser with simultaneous upconversion and frequency-doubled lasing via crystal-in-glass engineering.","authors":"Shengda Ye,Jianhao Chen,Jiayue He,Weiwei Chen,Xiongjian Huang,Xiaofeng Liu,Jianrong Qiu,Zhongmin Yang,Guoping Dong","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02162-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02162-9","url":null,"abstract":"This work demonstrates a novel crystal-in-glass composite structure for multifunctional micro-nano light sources in integrated photonics. Based on a Er3+/Yb3+-codoped glass-ceramic (GC) whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity incorporating Ba2TiGe2O8 (BTG) crystals, this microcavity enables dual-mode responses combining upconversion (UC) and frequency-doubled lasing. Made from a low-phonon-energy germanate glass matrix codoped with Er3+/Yb3+ for UC gain, the microcavity is crystallized to form BTG microcrystals for second harmonic generation (SHG). By leveraging the high-quality factor (Q ≈ 5.7 × 104) and small mode volume, we achieve green (550 nm) and red (660 nm) UC lasing in a 30-μm-diameter microcavity with low thresholds of 13.31 μW and 12.97 μW, respectively. Benefitted from the random quasi-phase-matching (RQPM) mechanism in BTG GC, the microcavity also demonstrates an ultrabroadband frequency-doubling response from 900 to 1200 nm. By combining tapered fiber near-field coupling and femtosecond free-space pumping, we achieve simultaneous output of green/red UC lasing and frequency-doubled lasing within a single microcavity. We believe this work offers insights into hybrid material design and cooperative optical field manipulation for tunable lasers and on-chip nonlinear photonic systems.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"12 1","pages":"86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146044681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Real-time dynamic and three-dimensional (3D) X-ray imaging are the most challenging types of X-ray imaging technology, placing more rigorous standards on scintillators. Lead-based (Pb 2+ ) organic-inorganic hybrid halide (OIHH) scintillators with high X-ray absorption coefficients have been demonstrated to exhibit excellent scintillation performance. However, their toxicity and instability hindered further development, and it is necessary to explore novel low-toxic metal-based OIHHs possessing excellent scintillation performance. Antimony-based (Sb 3+ ) OIHHs are not only environmentally friendly, but also show good stability compared to Pb 2+ -based OIHHs, which make them promising candidates as excellent scintillators. Currently, the understanding of Sb 3+ -based OIHH scintillators for X-ray detection and imaging is still in infancy and requires further exploration. Herein, we designed two Sb 3+ -based OIHH crystals of (BPP) 2 SbCl 5 (CP1) and (BPP) 2 SbCl 5 0.5 H 2 O (CP2), which have very similar crystal structures except the introduction of water molecules in CP2. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that CP2 has larger lattice distortion and smaller freedom of motion, which can promote the self-trapped excitons emissions. A flexible scintillator screen based on CP2 crystals was prepared and applied for real-time dynamic and 3D X-ray imaging, which is the first time for Sb 3+ -based OIHH scintillators and significantly broadens the potential of Sb 3+ -based OIHH scintillators.
{"title":"Highly luminescent organic-inorganic hybrid antimony halide scintillators for real-time dynamic and 3D X-ray imaging","authors":"Haixia Cui, Wanjiao Li, Qianxi Li, Shaolong Wang, Mingye Zhu, Yongjing Deng, Shujuan Liu, Qiang Zhao","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02152-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02152-x","url":null,"abstract":"Real-time dynamic and three-dimensional (3D) X-ray imaging are the most challenging types of X-ray imaging technology, placing more rigorous standards on scintillators. Lead-based (Pb <jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> ) organic-inorganic hybrid halide (OIHH) scintillators with high X-ray absorption coefficients have been demonstrated to exhibit excellent scintillation performance. However, their toxicity and instability hindered further development, and it is necessary to explore novel low-toxic metal-based OIHHs possessing excellent scintillation performance. Antimony-based (Sb <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> ) OIHHs are not only environmentally friendly, but also show good stability compared to Pb <jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> -based OIHHs, which make them promising candidates as excellent scintillators. Currently, the understanding of Sb <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> -based OIHH scintillators for X-ray detection and imaging is still in infancy and requires further exploration. Herein, we designed two Sb <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> -based OIHH crystals of (BPP) <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> SbCl <jats:sub>5</jats:sub> (CP1) and (BPP) <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> SbCl <jats:sub>5</jats:sub> 0.5 H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O (CP2), which have very similar crystal structures except the introduction of water molecules in CP2. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that CP2 has larger lattice distortion and smaller freedom of motion, which can promote the self-trapped excitons emissions. A flexible scintillator screen based on CP2 crystals was prepared and applied for real-time dynamic and 3D X-ray imaging, which is the first time for Sb <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> -based OIHH scintillators and significantly broadens the potential of Sb <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> -based OIHH scintillators.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-26DOI: 10.1038/s41377-025-02159-4
Yingsheng Wang, Peipei Dang, Zixun Zeng, Dongjie Liu, Guodong Zhang, Long Tian, Kai Li, Ping’an Ma, Yi Wei, Hongzhou Lian, Zhiyao Hou, Guogang Li, Jun Lin
Lead-free halide double perovskites (LFHDPs) have gained prominence as eco-friendly optoelectronic materials due to their structural stability and flexible tunability. Lanthanide (Ln 3+ ) ions have rich energy levels, which can endow LFHDP materials with emissions ranging from visible to near-infrared (NIR) region through the ion doping strategy. However, their NIR applications remain limited by narrowband emission and low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) due to weak absorption cross-section. Herein, Cs 2 NaInCl 6 :Ln 3+ were successfully synthesized, and the problem of low absorption of Ln 3+ ions is effectively solved. Incorporating Mo 4+ /Ag + ions achieves a near-unity PLQY and expands the excitation spectrum across the full visible range and a small part of NIR region (250–850 nm). Mechanism analysis revealed synergistic energy transfer pathways involving self-trapping excitons and intermediate energy states of Mo 4+ ion, enhancing both photon absorption and PLQY. The universal applicability of this approach has been validated across Bi-based and multiple lanthanide ions (Ln: Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). These optimized materials demonstrate exceptional broadband emission characteristics suitable for multi-scenario NIR applications, including light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), night vision, imaging, anti-counterfeiting technologies. This co-doping methodology establishes a versatile framework for overcoming inherent limitations in Ln 3+ -activated materials, offering new possibilities for efficient NIR optoelectronic devices.
{"title":"Sensitizing effect of lanthanide luminescence by Mo4+/Ag+ in double perovskites: great enhancement of near-infrared emission via wide range of excitation (250–850 nm)","authors":"Yingsheng Wang, Peipei Dang, Zixun Zeng, Dongjie Liu, Guodong Zhang, Long Tian, Kai Li, Ping’an Ma, Yi Wei, Hongzhou Lian, Zhiyao Hou, Guogang Li, Jun Lin","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02159-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02159-4","url":null,"abstract":"Lead-free halide double perovskites (LFHDPs) have gained prominence as eco-friendly optoelectronic materials due to their structural stability and flexible tunability. Lanthanide (Ln <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> ) ions have rich energy levels, which can endow LFHDP materials with emissions ranging from visible to near-infrared (NIR) region through the ion doping strategy. However, their NIR applications remain limited by narrowband emission and low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) due to weak absorption cross-section. Herein, Cs <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> NaInCl <jats:sub>6</jats:sub> :Ln <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> were successfully synthesized, and the problem of low absorption of Ln <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> ions is effectively solved. Incorporating Mo <jats:sup>4+</jats:sup> /Ag <jats:sup>+</jats:sup> ions achieves a near-unity PLQY and expands the excitation spectrum across the full visible range and a small part of NIR region (250–850 nm). Mechanism analysis revealed synergistic energy transfer pathways involving self-trapping excitons and intermediate energy states of Mo <jats:sup>4+</jats:sup> ion, enhancing both photon absorption and PLQY. The universal applicability of this approach has been validated across Bi-based and multiple lanthanide ions (Ln: Ho, Er, Tm, Yb). These optimized materials demonstrate exceptional broadband emission characteristics suitable for multi-scenario NIR applications, including light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), night vision, imaging, anti-counterfeiting technologies. This co-doping methodology establishes a versatile framework for overcoming inherent limitations in Ln <jats:sup>3+</jats:sup> -activated materials, offering new possibilities for efficient NIR optoelectronic devices.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Entanglement-assisted quantum communication has substantial advantages in surpassing the power of classical communication by utilizing the entangled state. Up to now, most of entanglement-assisted quantum communications with dense coding are limited to the proof-of-principle experiments. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the deterministic entanglement-assisted quantum communication based on the continuous-variable (CV) entangled state over 20 km commercial fiber channels. We propose a new CV dense coding scheme with improved classical signals and show that the transmission distance of CV entanglement-assisted quantum communication can be extended compared with that using fixed classical signals. By applying the frequency division multiplexing technique, we simultaneously decode 10 classical signals submerged in the shot noise of coherent state with the help of CV entangled state after the transmission through a 20.121 km fiber channel. The results show that around 3 times of channel capacity in classical communication with coherent state are achieved in the CV entanglement-assisted communication with the frequency division multiplexing technique. Our result takes a crucial step towards realizing the deterministic metropolitan entanglement-assisted quantum communication in practical quantum channels.
{"title":"Deterministic entanglement-assisted quantum communication over 20 km fiber channel","authors":"Siyu Ren, Yanru Yan, Yalin Li, Chao Li, Dongmei Han, Xuezhi Zhu, Meihong Wang, Xiaolong Su","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02173-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02173-6","url":null,"abstract":"Entanglement-assisted quantum communication has substantial advantages in surpassing the power of classical communication by utilizing the entangled state. Up to now, most of entanglement-assisted quantum communications with dense coding are limited to the proof-of-principle experiments. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the deterministic entanglement-assisted quantum communication based on the continuous-variable (CV) entangled state over 20 km commercial fiber channels. We propose a new CV dense coding scheme with improved classical signals and show that the transmission distance of CV entanglement-assisted quantum communication can be extended compared with that using fixed classical signals. By applying the frequency division multiplexing technique, we simultaneously decode 10 classical signals submerged in the shot noise of coherent state with the help of CV entangled state after the transmission through a 20.121 km fiber channel. The results show that around 3 times of channel capacity in classical communication with coherent state are achieved in the CV entanglement-assisted communication with the frequency division multiplexing technique. Our result takes a crucial step towards realizing the deterministic metropolitan entanglement-assisted quantum communication in practical quantum channels.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"54 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Metasurface-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is essential for high spatiotemporal resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging in robotic and autonomous systems. Recent advances in inertia-free scanning techniques—such as acousto-optic and spectral scanning—have propelled the field forward. Nevertheless, key spatiotemporal metrics, including point acquisition rate (PAR), field-of-view (FOV), and imaging resolution, remain fundamentally constrained. These challenges are particularly acute in dual-axis LiDARs, where inter-axis rate mismatch and beam astigmatism degrade temporal and spatial resolution, respectively. Here, we present a wide-FOV, high spatiotemporal resolution LiDAR architecture with astigmatic metalens (AML) coordinated spectral-acousto-optic scanning. Consequently, a frame-wise point acquisition rate (FPAR) of 36.6 MHz (∼5-fold improvement over existing reports) and a wide FOV of 102° are simultaneously achieved. This breakthrough redefines LiDAR’s potential for ultra-high-speed, high-precision perception, enhancing applications such as autonomous driving with improved obstacle detection and safety at high speeds.
{"title":"Spectral-acoustic-coordinated astigmatic metalens for wide field-of-view and high spatiotemporal resolution 3D imaging","authors":"Shujian Gong, Yinghui Guo, Xiaoyin Li, Mingbo Pu, Peng Tian, Qi Zhang, Lianwei Chen, Wenyi Ye, Heping Liu, Fei Zhang, Mingfeng Xu, Xiangang Luo","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02180-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02180-7","url":null,"abstract":"Metasurface-based light detection and ranging (LiDAR) is essential for high spatiotemporal resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging in robotic and autonomous systems. Recent advances in inertia-free scanning techniques—such as acousto-optic and spectral scanning—have propelled the field forward. Nevertheless, key spatiotemporal metrics, including point acquisition rate (PAR), field-of-view (FOV), and imaging resolution, remain fundamentally constrained. These challenges are particularly acute in dual-axis LiDARs, where inter-axis rate mismatch and beam astigmatism degrade temporal and spatial resolution, respectively. Here, we present a wide-FOV, high spatiotemporal resolution LiDAR architecture with astigmatic metalens (AML) coordinated spectral-acousto-optic scanning. Consequently, a frame-wise point acquisition rate (FPAR) of 36.6 MHz (∼5-fold improvement over existing reports) and a wide FOV of 102° are simultaneously achieved. This breakthrough redefines LiDAR’s potential for ultra-high-speed, high-precision perception, enhancing applications such as autonomous driving with improved obstacle detection and safety at high speeds.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ultrahigh-Q optical resonances are the cornerstone of next-generation nanophotonic technologies, but their simultaneous realization of robustness and on-chip practicality remains a significant challenge. In this work, we present tetramer composite metasurfaces capable of supporting two distinct classes of ultrahigh-Q resonances: centroid symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum (SP-BICs) and area-conserved guided-mode resonances (GMRs). By employing a four-hole supercell design, we demonstrate that centering each hole within its subcell preserves C 4v symmetry, thereby enabling SP-BICs. Controlled lateral displacement transforms them into quasi-BICs with Q > 10⁶. Independently, enforcing diagonal-hole area conservation within the super unit cell generates degenerate GMRs with Q > 10⁸, which exhibit remarkable stability across a broad wave vector range. Breaking this area conservation splits the GMRs into paired ultrahigh-Q resonances, while adjusting the center-to-center distance of air holes lifts their degeneracy. Experimentally, we validate both resonance types using silicon photonic crystal slabs, achieving measured Q-factors exceeding 10,000, with a maximum value of 43,700. Such ultrahigh-Q composite-metasurfaces provide a versatile platform of enhancing light-matter interactions.
{"title":"Robust ultrahigh-Q resonances in tetramer metasurfaces through centroid symmetry protection and area conservation","authors":"Chaobiao Zhou, Rong Jin, Haoxuan He, Jing Huang, Guanhai Li, Lujun Huang","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02164-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02164-7","url":null,"abstract":"Ultrahigh-Q optical resonances are the cornerstone of next-generation nanophotonic technologies, but their simultaneous realization of robustness and on-chip practicality remains a significant challenge. In this work, we present tetramer composite metasurfaces capable of supporting two distinct classes of ultrahigh-Q resonances: centroid symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum (SP-BICs) and area-conserved guided-mode resonances (GMRs). By employing a four-hole supercell design, we demonstrate that centering each hole within its subcell preserves C <jats:sub>4v</jats:sub> symmetry, thereby enabling SP-BICs. Controlled lateral displacement transforms them into quasi-BICs with Q > 10⁶. Independently, enforcing diagonal-hole area conservation within the super unit cell generates degenerate GMRs with Q > 10⁸, which exhibit remarkable stability across a broad wave vector range. Breaking this area conservation splits the GMRs into paired ultrahigh-Q resonances, while adjusting the center-to-center distance of air holes lifts their degeneracy. Experimentally, we validate both resonance types using silicon photonic crystal slabs, achieving measured Q-factors exceeding 10,000, with a maximum value of 43,700. Such ultrahigh-Q composite-metasurfaces provide a versatile platform of enhancing light-matter interactions.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"119 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1038/s41377-025-02132-1
Yuji Zhao,Tao Li,Boon Ooi
A high-performance miniaturized on-chip spectral imager operating in the ultraviolet region is demonstrated based on an AlGaN/GaN cascaded photodiode array. This work extends spectral imaging into the ultraviolet regimes by leveraging the mature III-nitride technologies and establishes a scalable pathway toward massive production of compact, high-resolution spectral imagers.
{"title":"III-Nitrides empower miniaturized spectral imager in ultraviolet.","authors":"Yuji Zhao,Tao Li,Boon Ooi","doi":"10.1038/s41377-025-02132-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02132-1","url":null,"abstract":"A high-performance miniaturized on-chip spectral imager operating in the ultraviolet region is demonstrated based on an AlGaN/GaN cascaded photodiode array. This work extends spectral imaging into the ultraviolet regimes by leveraging the mature III-nitride technologies and establishes a scalable pathway toward massive production of compact, high-resolution spectral imagers.","PeriodicalId":18069,"journal":{"name":"Light-Science & Applications","volume":"6 1","pages":"82"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146021520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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