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laserfocusworld.bsky.social
Laser Focus World magazine
@laserfocusworld.bsky.social
340 followers 520 following 260 posts
Global coverage of optics, photonics, and quantum advances, technologies, innovations, and applications
Skeets brought to you by SC Johnson (no, not that one)
www.laserfocusworld.com
#optics #photonics #quantum #lasers #sensors #scisky
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Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
chuckwendig.bsky.social
"You also have no guaranteed access to an aisle from an aisle seat. The inflight meal might be rocks -- we don't promise it's edible. Also just because it says 'plane' do not expect a plane, a tractor might show up, or just a guy who is going to carry you to your destination on piggyback."
airlineflyer.net Jason Rabinowitz @airlineflyer.net · 1d
United's hilarious response to the windowless window seat lawsuit:

"The use of the word 'window' in reference to a particular seat cannot reasonably be interpreted as a promise that the seat will have an exterior window view,"

www.businessinsider.com/united-airli...
United Airlines says a window seat doesn't need to have a window
Lawyers for United Airlines argued that the word "window" cannot reasonably be interpreted as a promise that the seat would have an exterior view.
www.businessinsider.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
www.laserfocusworld.com/biolife-scie...
#fiber #optogenetics #neuroscience #lasers #bio
Fiber-optic ‘disco ball’ manipulates individual deep brain neurons in new ways
To explore complex brain circuits, researchers can now use a single fiber to direct light into 1,000 different directions akin to a controllable tiny disco ball within the brain...
www.laserfocusworld.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
benkuchera.bsky.social
Keep posting sky pictures, I like being reminded that we're all piles of carbon screaming through space on a rock and we're all just hanging on and hoping for the best.
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
climatologist49.bsky.social
I might have taken a few aurora photos.
November 12, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
aurora.nws-bot.us
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-12T03:52:14Z

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 8, 9-
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 12 0345 UTC
Synoptic Period: 0300-0600 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G4 - Severe
Additional Details Here.
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK08 Serial Number: 54 Issue Time: 2025 Nov 12 0346 UTC ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 8, 9- Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 12 0345 UTC Synoptic Period: 0300-0600 UTC Active Warning: Yes NOAA Scale: G4 - Severe NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Possible widespread voltage control problems and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents intensify. Spacecraft - Systems may experience surface charging; increased drag on low earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems may occur. Navigation - Satellite navigation (GPS) degraded or inoperable for hours. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation sporadic or blacked out. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as Alabama and northern California. :Product: 3-Day Forecast :Issued: 2025 Nov 12 0030 UTC # Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 3 (below NOAA Scale levels). The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Nov 12-Nov 14 2025 is 8.00 (NOAA Scale G4). NOAA Kp index breakdown Nov 12-Nov 14 2025 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 00-03UT 5.00 (G1) 6.67 (G3) 4.67 (G1) 03-06UT 7.33 (G3) 6.33 (G2) 4.00 06-09UT 6.00 (G2) 6.00 (G2) 3.33 09-12UT 4.67 (G1) 4.67 (G1) 3.67 12-15UT 4.33 4.00 3.33 15-18UT 8.00 (G4) 3.33 3.00 18-21UT 7.67 (G4) 4.33 3.00 21-00UT 7.00 (G3) 4.67 (G1) 3.33 Rationale: CME activity from 09-11 Nov is likely to cause G1-G4 (Minor-Severe) levels on 12 Nov, G1-G3 (Minor-Strong) storm levels on 13 Nov and G1 (Minor) levels early on 14 Nov. B. NOAA Solar Radiation Activity Observation and Forecast Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was above S-scale storm level thresholds. Solar Radiation Storm Forecast for Nov 12-Nov 14 2025 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 S1 or greater 99% 75% 55% Rationale: The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to continue above the S1 (Minor) threshold through 13 Nov, with S2 levels possible through 12 Nov. Further enhancements are possible with the arrival of the 09-11 Nov CMEs on 11 and 12 Nov. C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast Radio blackouts reaching the R3 levels were observed over the past 24 hours. The largest was at Nov 11 2025 1004 UTC. Radio Blackout Forecast for Nov 12-Nov 14 2025 Nov 12 Nov 13 Nov 14 R1-R2 85% 85% 85% R3 or greater 55% 55% 55% Rationale: R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts are expected, with further R3 (Strong) activity likely on 12-14 Nov due to the flare potential of Region 4274. Map from NOAA titled showing North America and the North Pole with a color gradient overlay of aurora likelihood. Map from NOAA titled showing North America and the North Pole with a color gradient overlay of aurora likelihood.
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
vincentledvina.bsky.social
Potentially the reddest aurora I have ever seen happening now on the way to Delta Junction, Alaska. 6:14 pm AKST Nov 11.
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
coreyspowell.bsky.social
I find this remarkable:

The Dresden Codex, one of the few surviving Mayan manuscripts, contains tables that give highly accurate timings of solar eclipses over more than 700 years, from 350 CE to the 12 century. 🧪🔭

www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Sheets of the Dresden Codex depicting eclipses, multiplication tables, and the flood.
November 11, 2025 at 12:49 AM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
Happy Photonics Hot List Friday!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9FT...
@spie.org @jmurphoton.bsky.social #nanophotonics
Photonics Hot List: November 7, 2025
YouTube video by Laser Focus World
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
www.laserfocusworld.com/laser-proces...
#lasers #MEAs
Microelectrode array manufacturing advances provide device designers with scaling options
Advanced laser micromachining technology significantly reduces production complexity, increases efficiency, and ultimately lowers costs. A combination of modern motion controls...
www.laserfocusworld.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
aurora.nws-bot.us
Aurora Forecast Update for 2025-11-05T23:00:05Z

ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6
Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 05 2252 UTC
Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC

Active Warning: Yes
NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate
Additional Details Here.
Space Weather Message Code: ALTK06 Serial Number: 665 Issue Time: 2025 Nov 05 2253 UTC ALERT: Geomagnetic K-index of 6 Threshold Reached: 2025 Nov 05 2252 UTC Synoptic Period: 2100-2400 UTC Active Warning: Yes NOAA Scale: G2 - Moderate NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation Potential Impacts: Area of impact primarily poleward of 55 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. Induced Currents - Power grid fluctuations can occur. High-latitude power systems may experience voltage alarms. Spacecraft - Satellite orientation irregularities may occur; increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites is possible. Radio - HF (high frequency) radio propagation can fade at higher latitudes. Aurora - Aurora may be seen as low as New York to Wisconsin to Washington state. :Product: 3-Day Forecast :Issued: 2025 Nov 05 1230 UTC # Prepared by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # A. NOAA Geomagnetic Activity Observation and Forecast The greatest observed 3 hr Kp over the past 24 hours was 4 (below NOAA Scale levels). The greatest expected 3 hr Kp for Nov 05-Nov 07 2025 is 5.00 (NOAA Scale G1). NOAA Kp index breakdown Nov 05-Nov 07 2025 Nov 05 Nov 06 Nov 07 00-03UT 4.00 2.33 5.00 (G1) 03-06UT 3.33 3.00 4.67 (G1) 06-09UT 4.33 3.00 4.00 09-12UT 2.33 3.00 3.33 12-15UT 3.00 3.00 3.00 15-18UT 2.33 3.33 2.67 18-21UT 2.67 3.33 2.67 21-00UT 2.67 4.67 (G1) 3.67 Rationale: G1 (Minor) with a slight chance for G2 (Moderate) geomagnetic storm conditions are likely on 06-07 Nov due to CH HSS activity coupled with a possible glancing blow from the 03-04 Nov CMEs. B. NOAA Solar Radiation Activity Observation and Forecast Solar radiation, as observed by NOAA GOES-18 over the past 24 hours, was below S-scale storm level thresholds. Solar Radiation Storm Forecast for Nov 05-Nov 07 2025 Nov 05 Nov 06 Nov 07 S1 or greater 25% 25% 25% Rationale: There is a chance for the greater than 10 MeV proton flux reaching the S1 (Minor) threshold on 05-07 Nov due to the flare potential of Region 4274. C. NOAA Radio Blackout Activity and Forecast Radio blackouts reaching the R3 levels were observed over the past 24 hours. The largest was at Nov 04 2025 1734 UTC. Radio Blackout Forecast for Nov 05-Nov 07 2025 Nov 05 Nov 06 Nov 07 R1-R2 70% 70% 70% R3 or greater 25% 25% 25% Rationale: Probabilities have increased to 70% for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) and 25% for R3 (Strong) due to the continued activity and complex structure of Region 4274. Map from NOAA titled showing North America and the North Pole with a color gradient overlay of aurora likelihood. Map from NOAA titled showing North America and the North Pole with a color gradient overlay of aurora likelihood.
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
iop.org
Today we kicked off the week with our first event of #QuantumWeek2025, 'The First 100 Years', at the historic @rigb.org. Our speakers explored quantum's history, its impact, how its shaped society, and its strangeness. We’ll be back tomorrow with 'Our Quantum Future'.
👉 www.iop.org/events/quant...
November 4, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
philplait.bsky.social
Trump just continually shooting our country in the face. This unwarranted (and likely illegal) destruction of Goddard is madness. It jeopardizes the next several decades of space exploration.
tyleraking.com Tyler King @tyleraking.com · 8d
Reposting to correct an error: trump admin is quietly gutting 13 buildings and about 100 laboratories at Goddard campus that has been instrumental to Hubble and James Webb telescope missions. Staff say they’ve be locked and told to move equipment. Anything left behind will be thrown away.
NASA may be quietly gutting an iconic campus with what it calls strategic closures, workers fear
(CNN) — Alarm is growing among federal workers at NASA’s iconic Goddard Space Flight Center’s main campus in Greenbelt, Maryland — the nerve center for groundbreaking missions like the Hubble
www.wkow.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
spie.org
Congratulations to the finalists of the 2026 Prism Awards!🥂

24 products across eight categories have been named for their outstanding innovation in photonics. Winners will be announced on 21 January at #PhotonicsWest. 💡

Read the press release: spie.org/news/innovat...

#PhotonicsPrism #SPIE
Green and black background with text reading: "Prism Awards 2026 Finalists"
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
jmurphoton.bsky.social
Thrilled to share the latest #FollowingthePhotons podcast, featuring my really fun, interesting, insightful talk with Dr. Tara Fortier, a physicist and project leader at NIST!
LISTEN NOW--> ✨ 🕰️ bit.ly/47wsDwo
@laserfocusworld.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 4:48 PM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
www.laserfocusworld.com/executive-fo...
#CPO #optics #photonics
Copackaged optics is an unprecedented era for AI infrastructure
Copackaged optics (CPO) can meet the urgent needs of artificial intelligence (AI)—but it must be deployed wisely and at scale to balance the performance, sustainability, and resilience...
www.laserfocusworld.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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vcaston.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
erictopol.bsky.social
This week's @nature.com cover highlights a report of A.I.- mediated distortion
When #ChatGPT was asked to rate 40,000 résumés, it ranked the older male candidates as better quality than the younger female applicants nature.com/articles/s41...
November 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
eso.org
Right in time for #Halloween 🎃

Our VST has spotted a spooky bat flying over Paranal. But fear not, it's located 10,000 light-years away.

This "cosmic bat" is in fact a large cloud of gas. Let's fly through it in this video...if you dare! 🦇

Read more: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2518/
🔭 🧪
October 31, 2025 at 8:03 AM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
Happy Halloween! 🎃
www.laserfocusworld.com/quantum/medi...
#quantum #entanglement #photonics #optics
Spooky action at a distance? A look back on recent quantum work
Here's a look back at three articles covering work involving quantum entanglement, which Albert Einstein famously viewed as “spooky action at a distance.”
www.laserfocusworld.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:11 PM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
www.laserfocusworld.com/optics/artic...
#BAs #conductivity #semiconductor
Boron arsenide surpasses diamond, silicon in thermal conductivity
Move over diamond and silicon, boron arsenide is an exceptional semiconductor and thermal conductor—all rolled into one.
www.laserfocusworld.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
jmurphoton.bsky.social
#PhotonicsHotList Friday! This week: New 3D display could bring glasses-free truly immersive experiences ... business news roundup ... and a breakthrough in optical thermodynamics 👻 Check it out--> bit.ly/47xzxSh
@laserfocusworld.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
pacificoptica.bsky.social
Happy Halloween!
pacificoptica.com/cousa/
A person dressed up as a Cousa objective.
October 31, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
spie.org
Congrats to the 2025 #SPIE International Day of Light Photo Contest winners!

🥇 Cao Thi Ngoc Diễm – "The Fisherman's Heart at Dawn"
🥈 Jun Ding – "Jade Beads out of Clear Water"
🥉 Chico Lima – "Shadows"
🔬 Best in Science: Dan Curticapean and Pascale Müller – "Compound Eye of the Fruit Fly"
Person standing on a boat pulling a large fishing net at sunrise over calm water. Red and green beads splashing into clear water against a black background People walking on a patterned stone pavement with long shadows cast by sunlight. Close-up of a colorful insect eye under a microscope with fine hair-like structures.
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Laser Focus World magazine
attilio-zilli.bsky.social
Pardon me for shamelessly advertising our recent work on nonlinear interferometry (by Yigong Luan supervised by Marco Finazzi, @vynisle.bsky.social, and myself at #PoliMi) also now featured on the homepage of 💡 Light: Science and Application. Article free to read at:
www.nature.com/articles/s41....
All-optical polarization encoding and modulation by nonlinear interferometry at the nanoscale - Light: Science & Applications
We demonstrate polarization encoding of upconverted light with orthogonal polarization states into opposite diffraction orders of a metasurface, enabling all-optical tuning between linear and circular...
www.nature.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
laserfocusworld.bsky.social
Michael Dobinson at Simon Fraser University shares his cool quantum work with us...
www.laserfocusworld.com/quantum/arti...
#quantum #optics #lasers #emitters #silicon #scisky
Optical and electrical control of a silicon-based quantum device?
Beyond being a source of single photons, dual optical and electrical control of nanophotonic devices may enable scaling up to larger systems of quantum emitters on a single chip...
www.laserfocusworld.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM