Scientists discover secret light traps in atom-thin material
Scientists have discovered that ultra-thin materials—just a few atoms thick—can naturally create tiny “cavities” that trap light and electrons.
This surprising finding helps explain why...
Why some quantum materials succeed while others never leave the lab
Quantum materials sound futuristic — their strange behaviors come directly from the laws of quantum physics, which govern how atoms and electrons interact.
They can...
Mysterious galactic glow may be the first sign of dark matter
For decades, astronomers have been puzzled by a faint but powerful glow of gamma rays shining from the center of our Milky Way galaxy.
Now,...
Dark matter may leave a subtle “fingerprint” on light
Dark matter—the mysterious substance that makes up about 27% of the universe—has long been thought to be completely invisible. But new research suggests that...
Pulsars may reveal the universe’s hidden gravitational beats
For decades, astronomers have listened to the cosmos through pulsars — rapidly spinning neutron stars that emit perfectly timed radio pulses.
These “cosmic clocks” are...
MIT physicists double the accuracy of the world’s most precise clocks
Every time you check your phone, make an online payment, or use GPS, you rely on one of humanity’s most precise tools: the atomic...
New molecular qubits could help build the future quantum internet
Scientists at the University of Chicago and their collaborators have developed a new kind of molecular qubit that could connect directly with today’s fiber-optic...
Physicists use electric fields to control DNA in real time
A team of physicists at McGill University has developed a new device that allows them to trap, release, and manipulate DNA molecules without ever...
Scientists use molecular film to tame noisy quantum light
Quantum technologies are often described as the future of computing and communication, but their success depends on achieving an extraordinary level of precision.
At the...
Dark matter and dark energy may be illusions, new study suggests
For decades, astronomers have believed that most of the universe is made of mysterious substances called dark matter and dark energy.
According to the standard...