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Lasing Action in Air Induced by Ultrafast Laser Filamentation

Qi Luo, Seyed Abbas Hosseini, Weiwei Liu and See Leang Chin

Backscattered fluorescence from nitrogen molecules from filaments induced by intense, ultrafast Ti:sapphire laser pulses increases exponentially with an increase in the length of the filament. This shows that the fluorescence undergoes amplified spontaneous emission along the filament direction, a finding that could have applications in lightning discharge control and remote sensing. more>>

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Manipulating the Near Field With Metamaterials

John Pendry

New technology is enabling scientists to engineer a class of electromagnetic materials on a scale of much less than a wavelength. The new materials have properties not seen in nature—such as a negative refractive index—which are the key to controlling the near field. more>>

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Phakic Intraocular Lenses: The New Focus in Refractive Surgery

G. Michael Morris and Lee T. Nordan, M.D.

Phakic intraocular lenses represent the next major stage in the ongoing refractive surgery revolution. Thin, foldable and removable, these lenses can be inserted under local anesthetic as part of an outpatient procedure that is relatively easy to perform. more>>

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Quantum Information Processing Based On Optically Driven Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Xiaoqin Li, Duncan Steel, Daniel Gammon and Lu J. Sham

It may one day be possible to use arrays of quantum dots driven by ultrafast laser pulses to carry out quantum information processing. The article reviews recent experimental progress in the area of coherent optical control of single dots and outlines a plan for further research. more>>

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Toward Practical Fiber Optical Parametric Amplifiers and Oscillators

Michel E. Marhic, Kenneth K.-Y. Wong, Georgios Kalogerakis and Leonid G. Kazovsky

Advances in fiber optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) may lead to practical applications in areas that include optical communications and high-power wavelength conversion. more>>

Optics unveils a masterpiece, was Galileo wrong?, chiral gratings

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Washington Focus

Science Plays Key Role In 2004 Presidential Race

Tom Price

President George Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry have staked out contrasting positions on science issues during this year’s presidential campaign, and they’re not just debating about how much money the federal government should spend on science-related programs. The proper role of science in public policy making has became a matter of sharp disagreement. more>>