(Image Credit: Alexander_Evgenyevich/Shutterstock) NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsIn the 1960s, physicists showed how light could interact with itself in intriguing ways thanks to a process known as second-harmonic generation. In the right kind of material, two photons of a certain frequency can interact to produce another photon of twice the frequency, turning red light into green, for example. Since then, physicists have exploited these non-linear optics in techniques ranging from precision measurement to quantum computing. Yet, one persistent challenge has remained. Nonlinear optical devices must be crafted with a single, unchangeable function determined during fabrication. And this limits their utility and function.Now that looks set to change thanks to the work of Ryotatsu Yanagimoto at Cornell University in Ithaca, and colleagues, who have unveiled a programmable photonic chip that promised to reshape optical science and the technology it enables.Sculpted LightA key process in non-linear optics is phase matchingthe ability to synchronize two different light waves to keep them in phase. Ordinary materials do not usually allow this in their raw state and so must be carefully "sculpted" through complex nanofabrication processes. One example is to grow patterns of semiconductor material on the surface to form a grating that forces light of a certain wavelength to interact in a nonlinear way. This allows laser light to interact with the electrons inside the material in a nonlinear way that keeps their phases in sync. This is known as a (2) effect.However, this pattern is fixed, as is the type of interactions the material allows and any potential applications. Yanagimoto and co's breakthrough circumvents these limitations. They have found a way to induce the same kinds of changes in a material using an external light field. So by beaming a pattern of light onto the material, it can create the same kind of (2) effect. This ingenious mechanism allows the team to create versatile phase-matching gratings that are customizable in real-time. This allowed us to create distinct spatial light profiles across multiple wavelengths, say the team.The underlying mechanics involve a slab waveguide composed of a silicon nitride core, a photoconductive silicon-rich nitride layer, and an indium tin oxide electrode. When illuminated by structured green laser light, the photoconductive layer becomes locally conductive, inducing a programmable nonlinearity. In one demonstration, Yanagimoto and co used the technique to spell out the name "Cornell" in second-harmonic light over time. They achieved this by using structured illumination on the photoconductive layer, selectively activating the electric-field-induced nonlinearity across the chip's surface. When the bias voltage was applied, these illuminated regions became active, generating second-harmonic light at twice the frequency of the input laser beam but modulated over time in a way that spelt out the name of the university. This adaptability should open the floodgates for various applications. For instance, programmable nonlinear photonic chips could enable sophisticated quantum computing architectures, allowing a single device to execute multiple quantum gates or generate quantum states tailored to specific computational tasks. The chips also promise significant advancements in classical optical communications, enabling ultra-fast all-optical signal processing and reconfigurable optical computation. Our work shows that we can transcend the conventional one-deviceone-function paradigm, say Yanagimoto and co.The team also developed real-time feedback techniques that allow them to produce small changes in output as needed. This allows them to address one of the longstanding issues with traditional nonlinear optical techniques: fabrication imperfections. Traditional components are notoriously sensitive to minor imperfections which can drastically affect performance. But the real time adaptability sidesteps this challenge by dynamically compensating for these variations, greatly enhancing reliability and yield.Practical ApplicationsThe Cornell team's device is still in an early developmental stage. Its current nonlinearity strength, while modest, can potentially be increased by a factor of ten or even one hundred through further engineering refinements, say Yanagimoto and colleagues. Such improvements should help propel this technology from the laboratory bench to practical use.Reflecting on their achievement, Yanagimoto and co say the work paves the way toward a future where optical devices are not merely passive conduits but active participants, dynamically responding to the demands of their environments and users. This development signifies a new era in optics, one where adaptability and programmability are fundamental rather than exceptional.Ref: Programmable on-chip nonlinear photonics : arxiv.org/abs/2503.19861physics1 free article leftWant More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/monthSubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In1 free articleSubscribeWant more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99!SubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In

This image, made with Multispectral Imaging and processed using the Minimal Noise Fraction method, brings out annotations on the left-hand side which were invisible to the naked eye, including the stamp Huntingfield believed to have been added in the 16th century when the manuscript was repurposed as a binding. Credit: Cambridge University Library / CHILVariations on the classic Merlin and King Arthur legends span hundreds, if not thousands, of retellings. Many are documented within handwritten medieval manuscripts dating back over a milleniabut some editions are far rarer than others. For example, less than 40 copies are known to exist of a once-popular sequel series, the Suite Vulgate du Merlin. In 2019, researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered fragments of one more copy in their collections, tucked inside the recycled binding of a wealthy familys property record from the 16th century. But at the time of discovery, the text was impossible to read.Now after years of painstaking collaborative work with the universitys Cultural Heritage Imaging Laboratory (CHIL), archivists have finally been able to peer inside the obscured textswithout ever needing to physically handle the long-lost pages.The manuscripts outer left cover and extension. Credit: Cambridge University Library / CHIL Experts combined multiple conservation tools and techniques to construct a 3D model of the fragments. These included multispectral imaging (MSI), which creates high-resolution images by scanning an artifact with wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to infrared light. After borrowing X-ray and CT machines from Cambridges zoology department, the team then examined the parchment layers to map unseen binding structures without the need to deconstruct the delicate material. CT scanning allowed researchers to examine how the pages were stitched together using thin strips of similar parchment.Some of the Merlin texts were unreadable due to being hidden under folds or stitching, so the team also needed to amass hundreds of images from every angle using an array of magnets, prisms, mirrors, and other tools. The combined result is a high-definition, digitized 3D model of the entire relic that unfolds, allowing experts to analyze it as though reviewing the physical manuscript itself.If this had been done 30 years ago, the fragment might have been cut, unfolded, and flattened. But today, preserving it in situ gives us a crucial insight into 16th-century archival practices, as well as access to the medieval story itself, Irne Fabry-Tehranchi, a French specialist in the Cambridge University Librarys collections department who helped oversee the project, said in a statement.The results revealed not just a part of Suite Vulgate du Merlin, but insights into the time period in which it existed. Experts now believe the sections originally belonged to a shortened edition of the tale. Given small typographical errors as well as the red and blue ink used in its handwritten decorated initials, historians traced its origins to sometime between 12751315 CE.Sally Kilby (Conservation Department) and Baej Mikua (CHIL) carefully photograph inside the folds of the manuscript. Credit: Cambridge University Library / Baej Mikua / Amlie Deblauwe The original edition was written in Old French, the language used by the medieval aristocracy and courts of England after the Norman Conquest, while the 16th century binding contains two repurposed sections. Fabry-Tehranchi and colleagues at first believed it to be a 14th century story involving Sir Gawain.Further examination revealed it to be part of the Old French Vulgate Merlin sequel, a different and extremely significant Arthurian text, she said. Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.The first portion recalls the Christians victory against the Saxons at the Battle of Cambnic, including a fight involving Gauvain, his brothers, and his father King Loth versus the Saxon Kings Brandalus, Dodalis, Moydas, and Oriancs. The second scene is a courtly sequence that takes place during the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and includes Merlin appearing in Arthurs court while disguised as a harpist.With the sections translated and digitally preserved, the team hopes the same techniques can be applied to other conservation projects, particularly those involving delicate and obscured artifacts. Recycling older parchment for new books was a common practice during the medieval era, meaning many other invaluable records are still likely hidden in existing archives.This project was not just about unlocking one textit was about developing a methodology that can be used for other manuscripts, said Fabry-Tehranchi. Libraries and archives around the world face similar challenges with fragile fragments embedded in bindings, and our approach provides a model for non-invasive access and study.

There are few simple pleasures that hit quite like sitting around a fire pit at home with your friends. Even if you dont have any friends, you can get a roaring blaze going and scroll TikTok until the fire burns down to glowing embers. Right now, Amazon has Tikis smokeless fire pits on sale for up to half-off. Luckily, the biggest discount applies to the most popular model. This is technically part of Amazons Big Spring Sale, which will be over soon, so grab one now before the price goes back up.25-Inch Smokeless Patio Fire Pit, Wood Burning with Removable Ash Pan & Weather-Resistant Cover $198 (was $395)Tiki The exterior of this smokeless fire pit is made of powder-coated, 16-gauge stainless steel for maximum durability. It also looks slick and gives a much different vibe than the bare stainless fire pits that are really common right now. The inside chamber employs a clever air flow system, which prevents smoke from billowing out. As a result, you get the warmth and glow of a fire without the watering eyes and coughs.More importantly, the air flow system makes the pit easy to start. It comes with a package of wood to get you started and a cloth cover for easy storage. The 27.5-inch model is also on sale, and thats great if you have a really big yard or like extra-long sessions around the fire pit. But I personally prefer the slightly smaller 25-inch model as it doesnt require as much fuel and it wont burn for as long once you want to go inside. More Tiki fire pit dealsTiki fire pit bundle dealsIf you want to accessorize your fire pit, Tikis bundles are a great way to do it, especially when theyre up to 40 percent off right now.

Nature, Published online: 31 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00986-4The months sharpest science shots, selected by Natures photo team.

Nature, Published online: 31 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01001-6Improvements to braincomputer interfaces are bringing the technology closer to natural conversation speed.

This tiny bird sculpture was created 40,000 years ago by early humans in Europe who carved the key animals in their lives.

Technical Artist Shahzod Boyhonov, the creator of Cell Fluids, has shared a new experiment with Blenders functions and showcased this fascinating demo.The artist has been experimenting with the options of the SDF nodes in Geometry Nodes in Blender 4.5. According to the artist, in the setup, 30K particles collide with a complex scene in real-time, and the scene is baked into the SDF grid.The creator explained that the SDF allows for this simulation, as the traditional mesh collisions have to loop every polygon in the scene and calculate intersections for each particle. However, with SDF, you only need to sample the 3D grid once to get the distance to the closest geometry.Before, Shahzod Boyhonov unveiled a tool for visualizing fire writing and a setup forcreating convex collision meshes from bone vertex data using Geometry Nodes:Follow Shahzod Boyhonov onX/Twitter anddont forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our new Discord server, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, TikTok, and Threads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Creating Autumn Leaves Simulation with SDF Nodes appeared first on CG SHARES.

If you fancy a city-building survival game like Frostpunk, this 20-second showcase of a new indie game might catch your eye immediately. Its called Drownlight, which lets you build your own city in a submerged world.Realistic water effects with rocks under the surface being visible, stunning visuals, and smooth placement of buildings, such as a strong house and power station in a circle, are all well presented within this clip.Build a city around a lighthouse in a flooded world. Survive storms, find resources, and keep the light burning or lose your people to the night, the developers have summarized their WIP game in this description.Drownlights Steam page is on the way and should be ready as soon as within a day. But browsing the shared clips on social media gives us more insights into the games mechanism and features.When sharing the dialogue UI panel, its mentioned that conversations with residents have consequences; the game also seems to feature dynamic weather and a day-and-night cycle, with the suns beautiful reflection on the ocean seen during sunny days and immersive lighting in the city brings a cozy feeling at night. Besides the building and survival gameplay, some posts have RTS tags, so they might also involve some real-time strategy elements.Before the games Steam page is set up, we recommend you follow the project on social media and join its Discord channel to receive first-hand updates.Dont forget tojoin our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post An Upcoming City-Building Survival Game Set On Ocean With Frostpunk-Style Building Mechanics appeared first on CG SHARES.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition $47 for Switch / $50 for PS5 (was $60) See at Amazon See at Walmart Ys X: Nordics Deluxe Edition $43.80 at Amazon / $40 at Woot (was $60) See at Amazon See at Woot Fans of Nihon Falcom's classic action-RPG franchise Ys can get deals on both of the recently released entries in the series. Ys X: Nordics Deluxe Edition, the newest mainline game in the Ys series, is discounted to $43.80 at Amazon for PS5 and only $40 for PS5 and Nintendo Switch at Woot. The Deluxe Edition is bundled with an art book and digital soundtrack. You'll get even more extras with Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition, which is on sale for $47 for Nintendo Switch and $50 for PS5. Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition $47 for Switch / $50 for PS5 (was $60) Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition released in January. Along with a physical copy of the classic action-RPG for Nintendo Switch or PS5, you'll find a handful of physical extras inside the oversized box shown above. Here's what you get:Base gameAcrylic keychainDiorama setFour postcardsSoundtrack on CDMicrofiber clothThe Nintendo Switch version is on sale for $47 at Amazon and Walmart. Both retailers have deals on the PS5 edition, too, though it's a few bucks more at $50.There's an interesting history behind this Ys release, as it was first released under the title of Ys III: Wanderers from Ys in 1989. It was remade as Ys: The Oath in Felghana for PSP in 2005. The remake was ported to PC in 2012, which was remastered as the D1 Refined Edition for Nintendo Switch and PS5.The Oath in Felghana completely overhauled Ys III, and this new edition adds quality-of-life enhancements like Turbo mode, optional new character illustrations throughout the game, and voice acting for protagonist Adol Christin. The latest release features three different iterations of the original soundtrack, all remastered in high-quality audio.Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana follows the adventurous hero Adol and his companion Dogi as they return to Felghana after an eight-year journey. The lands are now filled with deadly monsters and a greedy overlord rules over the suffering residents. While Dogi leaves to seeks help from his former master, Adol stays on to assist the locals and quickly finds himself caught in the middle of new conspiracies and ancient legacies.You can take a closer look at the extras included with The Oath in Felghana's Refined Edition at the bottom of this article. See at Amazon See at Walmart Ys X: Nordics Deluxe Edition $43.80 at Amazon / $40 at Woot (was $60) The latest mainline entry in the series, Ys X: Nordics, released in October 2024 for $60. Physical copies of the Deluxe Edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch are on sale for their lowest prices yet. Amazon has the PS5 version for $43.80, while Woot has the Switch and PS5 editions for $40. The Switch version is full price at Amazon ($60), and the PS5 deal is only available in limited quantities.Ys X: Nordics Deluxe Edition is bundled with a mini art book and digital soundtrack. See at Amazon See at Woot Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Refined Edition More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Amazon Sci-Fi And Fantasy Spring Book Sale - Save Big On Popular Box Sets James Bond Sean Connery 4K Steelbook Collection Is Up For Preorder Star Wars Skywalker Saga 4K Box Set Featured In Amazon's Spring Sale + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5) 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller Gets Nice Discount A Month After Its Release Best 4K Blu-Rays & Box Sets In Amazon's B2G1 Free Big Spring Sale Lenovo Legion Go SteamOS Handheld Preorders Are Live At Best Buy Zelda: Twilight Princess 11-Book Manga Box Set Is Nearly 50% Off At Amazon Lego Transformers Optimus Prime Is Finally Back In Stock With A Big Discount