Space exploration is a complex field that requires the use of advanced technologies. One area of technology that has revolutionized space exploration is optics and photonics. Optical technologies are essential for communication, navigation, power generation, and remote sensing in space applications. In this article, we will introduce you to the basic principles of optical technologies in space.
Have you ever come accross somebody with a "Let There Be Light" reference followed by some weird looking formulas?
Here's the explanations what the reference and formulas are all about!
Single-photon-sources are extremely desirable devices as they can enable quantum-secure communication. But to enable a fast information exchange, a tradeoff between quantity and quality of the photons has to be considered.
Devices composed of qubits and a suitably designed nanoantenna might be used for quantum computation. They should not only be much faster than any known implementation but also extremely small.
Alaee et al. recently reported the observation of "extreme coupling" in plasmonic systems. We will describe how the experiment may give plasmonics new perspectives - both in applications and in fundamental research.
Classical electrodynamics is the first field theory students usually encounter. Let us just take a look what kind of impact the discovery of Maxwell's equations had on science. Also: What phenomena will students understand taking the course? If you want, a little motivational overview of electrodynamics.
A new implementation of static caching provides problemsinelectrodynamics.com with ultra-fast page loads.
The iFDTD is a software made for fast and easy electrodynamic simulations. Its biggest strength lies in the visualization of electrodynamic effects like total internal reflection, light propagation in photonic crystals etc. Detailed tutorials are given as well as some videos made with the toolbox.
Graphene is a two-dimensional material with extraordinary properties. Its tunable conductivity makes the material a prime candidate for sophisticated light-matter interactions. We will see how graphene antennas can be used to dictate a molecule's emission frequencies
Before we can all admire the new and exciting green future, let us have a clear and analytic look on what the disadvantages of solar energy are. Let us also find out what these disadvantages mean practically.
Resistors, capacitors and inductors are the basic passive elements of any electric circuit. Find out why resistors are so important, how we may describe and characterize them and what materials they are made off!
If photons had a nonvanishing mass, the electromagnetic fields would show different characteristics than those we are used to: a wavelength dependence of the speed of light, modifications of Coulomb's and Ampères law and thus different fields for charges and dipoles and so on. Find out more about the photon mass and how related theories can be used to describe superconductivity.
Computer games look extremely pretty these days. Find out how a decent understanding of physics makes it possible to implement "realistic" computer games!
Richard Feynman gave a remarkable talk at Caltech in 1959 called There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom. In his contribution, Feynman formulated a noble challenge:
"But I am not afraid to consider the final question as to whether, ultimately - in the great future - we can arrange the atoms the way we want; the very atoms, all the way down!"
I think we have reached that goal!
To solve problems in electrodynamics, or generally in the natural sciences can be quite complex or even frustrating. Nevertheless we can try to efficiently subdivide our efforts and cut down a big problem into smaller ones that are much more easy to handle.