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What will be the cutting-edge photonics research in the coming decade? Prof. Chen and Segev share their perspective by highlighting quantum, topological, and AI photonics on eLight.
Real-time intelligent systems increasingly require hardware that can adapt continuously to evolving inputs, yet most existing processors rely on static-weight inference, making them vulnerable to distribution shifts and error accumulation in dynamic environments. Although adaptive weight updates can, in principle, address this limitation, their implementation on electronic hardware is hindered by the stability-plasticity trade-off, as well as by the memory wall and clocking bottlenecks that become particularly severe in sequential processing. Here, we present a Temporally Plastic Photonic Processor (TPPP) that enables ultra-fast in situ adaptation by combining multi-timescale photonic kernels with a recursive optical delay memory. The architecture integrates a slow, reconfigurable kernel for stable long-term processing and a fast, dynamic kernel for transient adaptation, enabling time-varying weights to be embedded directly in the photonic domain without repeated electronic memory access. We experimentally validate the TPPP on linear and nonlinear sequential tasks. In both regimes, data-driven temporal plasticity enables the TPPP to outperform conventional static photonic baselines in robustness and accuracy. Under an operation-matched INT8 comparison, scaling analysis projects up to 16 × higher per-operation energy efficiency and up to 100 × lower intrinsic single-pass compute delay than advanced electronic processors, establishing the TPPP as a promising hardware framework for real-time adaptive photonic computing. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-026-00139-8.
Neuromorphic photonics promises sub-nanosecond latency, ultrawide bandwidth, and high parallelism, but practical scalability is constrained by fabrication tolerances, spectral alignment, and tuning energy. Here, we present a large-scale, compact, and reconfigurable photonic neuron in which each microring performs modulation and weighting simultaneously. By exploiting both carrier and thermal tuning within a single device, this architecture reduces footprint, relaxes spectral alignment requirements to just two optical components, and yields a steep transfer response that lowers tuning energy. The proposed neuron supports multiple operating configurations, allowing its dynamical behavior to be adapted to different computational tasks. In particular, a short electrical feedback path enables recurrent operation, providing tunable short- and long-term memory for temporal processing. Using a 10-microring resonator array, we demonstrate both spatial and temporal computing, including a 3 × 3 convolution for image processing with an error of <5% and high-frequency financial time-series prediction. Each modulation-weighting element occupies 80 × 45   μ m 2 and consumes an average of 0.186 mW, corresponding to a compute density of 4.67 TOPS/s/mm 2 . Excluding electronic power, the on-chip tuning efficiency reaches approximately 105 TOPs/W, which is comparable to state-of-the-art implementations. These results indicate that modulation-and-weighting microring resonator banks provide a scalable building block for large-scale neuromorphic photonic systems, offering a favorable combination of compact footprint, low power consumption, and functional flexibility. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-026-00122-3.
The mesoscale characterization of biological specimens has traditionally required compromises between resolution, field-of-view, depth-of-field, and molecular specificity, with most approaches relying on external labels. Here we present the Deep-ultrAviolet ptychogRaphic pockeT-scope (DART), a handheld platform that transforms label-free molecular imaging through intrinsic deep-ultraviolet spectroscopic contrast. By leveraging biomolecules' natural absorption fingerprints and combining them with lensless ptychographic microscopy, DART resolves down to 308-nm linewidths across centimeter-scale areas while maintaining millimeter-scale depth-of-field. The system's virtual error-bin methodology effectively eliminates artifacts from limited temporal coherence and other optical imperfections, enabling high-fidelity molecular imaging without lenses. Through differential spectroscopic imaging at deep-ultraviolet wavelengths, DART quantitatively maps nucleic acid and protein distributions with femtogram sensitivity, providing an intrinsic basis for explainable virtual staining. We demonstrate DART's capabilities through imaging of tissue sections, cytopathology specimens, blood cells, and neural populations, revealing detailed molecular contrast without external labels. The combination of high-resolution molecular mapping and broad mesoscale imaging in a portable platform opens new possibilities from rapid clinical diagnostics, tissue analysis, to biological characterization in space exploration. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-025-00103-y.
For infected wounds, including clostridial myonecrosis, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and Fournier's gangrene, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is advised; however, tension pneumothorax and gas emboli may occur during the process. Other instances of relative contraindications include illnesses like asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. We can use radio frequency and strong pulsed light in our research without having to worry about these kinds of issues and could have a significant impact on improving treatment outcomes. To assess how well intensely pulsed light and radiofrequency work for treating the aftereffects of post-Fournier's gangrene. Intense pulsed light and radiofrequency sessions were used to treat sixteen male patients with isolated penile or scrotal post-Fournier's gangrene raw areas. Twelve patients (75%) had an excellent satisfaction rate, and four (25%) rated it as good. No fair or poor results were documented. We are unable to make significant conclusions because of the small number of patients; however, since E-light is a simple, effective, and affordable treatment with good outcomes and no side effects, we advise more research on its application in the treatment of post-Fournier's gangrene isolated raw areas of the scrotum and penis.
To determine the depth of cure of 5 blue LED curing devices compared to that obtained with 3 QTH curing devices. The LED curing devices tested were 1) e-Light: 40 s; 2) Elipar FreeLight: 40 s; 3) Elipar FreeLight 2: 20 s and 40 s; 4) Ultra-Lume LED 2: 20 s and 40 s; 5) LEDemetron 1: 20 s and 40 s. The QTH curing devices tested were 1) Optilux 501: standard light guide 20 s and 40 s, turbo light guide 20 s; 2) Elipar TriLight: 40 s; 3) Astralis 10: 20 s. Surface hardness was measured (Zwick Z2.5/TS1S) 10 min after exposure on the top and bottom surface of resin samples (Tetric Ceram A3, 1 to 5 mm; 0.5 mm increment, diameter 5 mm, n = 9) which were cured at a distance of 7 mm from the bottom of the sample to the light-guide tip to simulate a Class II curing situation. A reference sample was cured under direct contact with the light guide. The reference sample with the greatest top surface hardness of all devices measured served as the overall control. A bottom/top surface hardness ratio of > or = 80% of the reference sample cured at zero distance was defined as clinically acceptable for safe curing. A descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. With QTH lamps, the mean maximum resin composite sample thickness which cured sufficiently (relative surface ratio > or = 80%) was: 3 mm for Optilux 501, standard light guide, 40 s; 2.5 mm for Trilight, 40 s; and 1.5 mm for Astralis 10, 20 s. The first-generation LED curing devices FreeLight and GC e-Light, both applied for 40 s, and the Optilux 501 operated for 20 s with the standard and the turbo light guide could not sufficiently cure a 1-mm-thick sample at a distance of 7 mm. The new FreeLight 2 and the Ultra-Lume LED 2 cured resin samples up to 2.5 mm thick in 40 s with a relative surface ratio > or = 80%, while no sufficient depth of cure was found after 20 s exposure time for the FreeLight 2. However, a 1.5-mm depth of cure with the Ultra-Lume LED 2 and the LEDemetron 1 with the 13/11 mm light guide was obtained after 20 s. The LEDemetron 1 equipped with a 13/8 mm light guide reached a depth of cure of 2.0 mm. No significant difference was found between the Elipar FreeLight 2, Ultra-Lume LED 2, and LEDemetron 1 in their overall curing potential (linear statistical model, 5% level, Bonferroni-correction) given 40 s or 20 s of exposure time. Application of the first-generation LED curing devices FreeLight and e-Light did not ensure clinically sufficient depths of cure, while the new high-power LED curing devices FreeLight 2, Ultra-Lume LED 2, and LEDemetron 1 showed a curing potential equal to the Optilux 501, given 40 s of exposure time.
Photobiomodulation is a technique that can modulate cellular processes and promote therapeutic effects, with the vast majority of applications being painless and nonperceptible. This study aims to determine whether tattooed skin influences cutaneous sensory perception during photobiomodulation application. A cross-sectional study. Participants: 30 participants with tattooed skin on some body regions, mainly on the upper limbs. Data collection was performed in a controlled laboratory environment by a previously trained evaluator. Four modes of irradiation were applied to the skin of the participants, and their sensory perceptions were analyzed with the average time and energy for participants to manifest during irradiations of the PBM. The interventions showed statistically significant differences when comparing the different application mode groups in terms of intervention time with the placebo model. There was an average time and energy during the irradiations: cluster 12s (1.2 J), 660 nm 21s (2.1 J) and 808 nm 14s (1.4 J) until the participants manifested. As a limitation of the study, we can describe the non-observation of skin types I and VI according to the Fitzpatrick scale. This study was evident that tattoos may affect cutaneous sensory perception during photobiomodulation irradiation in all application modes, and the first manifestations reported were: warmth, tingling, and heating.
EDITORIAL: "Mind-controlled information transmission" is one of human's ultimate fantasies for the development of science and technology. On June 11, 2022, eLight Journal simultaneously published two research papers on brainwave-based metasurfaces, and proposed a new concept of metasurface controlled by mind for the first time in the world. This major scientific breakthrough rushed up to the hot search list of public media. It was read more than ten million times, and the related video has been played 600,000 times, which aroused the audience's strong interest and discussion, and really made a significant leap toward "mind control". We are greatly honored to invite Prof. Cheng-Wei Qiu from National University of Singapore, the corresponding author of both above-mentioned articles and the co-Editor-in-Chief of eLight Journal, to have an exclusive interview. Prof. Cheng-Wei Qiu showed us the profound interpretation of his research works and shared his unique insights on journal development and talent cultivation.
Nonlinear optical signal processing (NOSP) has the potential to significantly improve the throughput, flexibility, and cost-efficiency of optical communication networks by exploiting the intrinsically ultrafast optical nonlinear wave mixing. It can support digital signal processing speeds of up to terabits per second, far exceeding the line rate of the electronic counterpart. In NOSP, high-intensity light fields are used to generate nonlinear optical responses, which can be used to process optical signals. Great efforts have been devoted to developing new materials and structures for NOSP. However, one of the challenges in implementing NOSP is the requirement of high-intensity light fields, which is difficult to generate and maintain. This has been a major roadblock to realize practical NOSP systems for high-speed, high-capacity optical communications. Here, we propose using a parity-time (PT) symmetric microresonator system to significantly enhance the light intensity and support high-speed operation by relieving the bandwidth-efficiency limit imposed on conventional single resonator systems. The design concept is the co-existence of a PT symmetry broken regime for a narrow-linewidth pump wave and near-exceptional point operation for broadband signal and idler waves. This enables us to achieve a new NOSP system with two orders of magnitude improvement in efficiency compared to a single resonator. With a highly nonlinear AlGaAs-on-Insulator platform, we demonstrate an NOSP at a data rate approaching 40 gigabits per second with a record low pump power of one milliwatt. These findings pave the way for the development of fully chip-scale NOSP devices with pump light sources integrated together, potentially leading to a wide range of applications in optical communication networks and classical or quantum computation. The combination of PT symmetry and NOSP may also open up opportunities for amplification, detection, and sensing, where response speed and efficiency are equally important. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-024-00062-w.
A quantum-light source that delivers photons with a high brightness and a high degree of entanglement is fundamental for the development of efficient entanglement-based quantum-key distribution systems. Among all possible candidates, epitaxial quantum dots are currently emerging as one of the brightest sources of highly entangled photons. However, the optimization of both brightness and entanglement currently requires different technologies that are difficult to combine in a scalable manner. In this work, we overcome this challenge by developing a novel device consisting of a quantum dot embedded in a circular Bragg resonator, in turn, integrated onto a micromachined piezoelectric actuator. The resonator engineers the light-matter interaction to empower extraction efficiencies up to 0.69(4). Simultaneously, the actuator manipulates strain fields that tune the quantum dot for the generation of entangled photons with corrected fidelities to a maximally entangled state up to 0.96(1). This hybrid technology has the potential to overcome the limitations of the key rates that plague QD-based entangled sources for entanglement-based quantum key distribution and entanglement-based quantum networks. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-024-00072-8.
The rapid development of optical frequency combs from their table-top origins towards chip-scale platforms has opened up exciting possibilities for comb functionalities outside laboratories. Enhanced nonlinear processes in microresonators have emerged as a mainstream comb-generating mechanism with compelling advantages in size, weight, and power consumption. The established understanding of gain and loss in nonlinear microresonators, along with recently developed ultralow-loss nonlinear photonic circuitry, has boosted the optical energy conversion efficiency of microresonator frequency comb (microcomb) devices from below a few percent to above 50%. This review summarizes the latest advances in novel photonic devices and pumping strategies that contribute to these milestones of microcomb efficiency. The resulting benefits for high-performance integration of comb applications are also discussed before summarizing the remaining challenges.
The present study determined the influence of different light curing regimes (four light-emitting diode (LED) units (Freelight 1 and 2, 3M-ESPE; e-light, GC; Bluephase (prototype), Ivoclar Vivadent), two quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) lights (Astralis 10, Ivoclar Vivadent; Swiss Master Light, EMS) and one plasma-light curing unit (Easy Cure, DMDS)) on the curing behavior of a resin-based composite material (InTen-S, Ivoclar Vivadent). Polymerization shrinkage was induced by light curing the tested material with 14 different regimes of the curing units mentioned above. The contraction stress was recorded for 300 s at room temperature with a Stress-Strain-Analyzer (c(FACTOR)=0.3). The maximum contraction stresses after 300 s, the time until gelation (t(0.5N)), and the coefficient of near linear fit of contraction force/time (gradient) were analyzed. The statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA (alpha=0.05) and Tukey's post hoc test. The five tested regimes of the LED unit e-light revealed the lowest statistically significantly maximum contraction stress followed by the low intensity LED unit Freelight 1 and the plasma curing unit Easy Cure. The high intensity LED unit Freelight 2 exhibited a significantly higher contraction stress compared to Freelight 1. No significant differences between the standard and exponential modes within these curing units were found. No significant differences were found between the LED unit Freelight 2 and the pulse program of the halogen light curing unit Astralis 10. The highest polymerization stresses were observed for the high energy curing units, either QTH (Swiss Master Light and Astralis 10) or LED (Bluephase). Fast contraction force development, high contraction stress and an early start of stress build-up cause tension in the material with possible subsequent distortion of the bond to the tooth structure. The lowest polymerization stress was observed for the low energy LED lamps, while the plasma unit and the high energy QTH and LED curing units produced two to three times higher stress.
Integrated silicon photonics has sparked a significant ramp-up of investment in both academia and industry as a scalable, power-efficient, and eco-friendly solution. At the heart of this platform is the light source, which in itself, has been the focus of research and development extensively. This paper sheds light and conveys our perspective on the current state-of-the-art in different aspects of application-driven on-chip silicon lasers. We tackle this from two perspectives: device-level and system-wide points of view. In the former, the different routes taken in integrating on-chip lasers are explored from different material systems to the chosen integration methodologies. Then, the discussion focus is shifted towards system-wide applications that show great prospects in incorporating photonic integrated circuits (PIC) with on-chip lasers and active devices, namely, optical communications and interconnects, optical phased array-based LiDAR, sensors for chemical and biological analysis, integrated quantum technologies, and finally, optical computing. By leveraging the myriad inherent attractive features of integrated silicon photonics, this paper aims to inspire further development in incorporating PICs with on-chip lasers in, but not limited to, these applications for substantial performance gains, green solutions, and mass production.
This study compares the percentage decrease in power output of light-emitting diode (LED) and quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) curing devices at different distances between the light guide tip and a radiometer. Three LED curing devices (Elipar FreeLight/3M ESPE, Luxomax/Akeda, e-Light/GC) were compared to two QTH curing devices (Elipar TriLight/3M ESPE, Optilux 501 conventional and Turbo light guides/Kerr-Demetron). Power density was measured with a Fieldmaster GS/Coherent unit (Sensor LM-3 HTD) at increasing distances from the light guide tip (0 to 20 mm at 1-mm increments, n=6). The mean decrease in power density available for curing at a distance of 10 mm between the light guide tip and the radiometer was 68% for the FreeLight, 83% for the e-Light, 42% for the Luxomax, 38% for the TriLight, 33% for the Optilux with the standard light guide, and 44% for the Optilux with the turbo light guide. The power density of the Luxomax was only 40% of that of the other LED curing devices at 0 mm distance. The blue LED curing devices Elipar FreeLight and GC e-Light showed a significantly higher percentage decrease in power output at a distance of 10 mm from the light guide tip to the radiometer compared to the QTH curing devices. Therefore, although blue LED curing devices might have the same curing potential compared to a QTH device when placed in direct contact to a resin composite, blue LED curing devices may not provide a sufficient cure when placed at a clinically relevant distance of 10 mm to the resin composite surface.
An concept of electromagnetic brain-computer-metasurface (EBCM), and remotely mindcontrolled metasurface (RMCM) via brainwaves is reported in eLight. Rather than DC voltage from power supply or AC voltages from signal generators, such metasurfaces are controlled by brainwaves collected in real time and can transmit information wirelessly between human brains. Such platforms can lead to a promising approach for the service of disabled people.
This study compared the use of different test models to assess the cytotoxicity of a dental composite. The cytotoxicity of a composite polymerized using two halogen-based light-curing units (LCUs) (Max LC and Astralis) and two light-emitting diode LCUs (E-light and Freelight) served as the basis of comparison. Disk-shaped specimens (7 mm diameter, 2 mm high) were fabricated using the four different light sources. The specimens were used in several cytotoxicity test models: direct and indirect contact tests as well as an extract test with an established cell line L-929. The cells were stained with neutral red after cell-material contact for 48 h. Neutral red-stained areas (in mm2, for direct and indirect tests) and absorbance readings (for extract tests) were analysed statistically using ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test, with P < 0.05 considered to be significantly different. Good correlation between direct and indirect contact tests (r = 0.903) was found. The extract test was the least correlated among the three tests. It was found that the E-light + Freelight-cured composite elicited cytotoxicity from the correlated studies. Uncured specimens were most detrimental to the cells in all tests. Our data demonstrated that composite cured with light-emitting diode LCUs were cytotoxic to L-929 cells. Different test models were found to give rise to different findings. Thus, a good cell-material contact method would replicate more closely the physiological situation in vivo. This in turn would give more clinically relevant results.
This study compared the ability of a variety of light sources and exposure modes to polymerize a dual-cured resin composite through ceramic discs of different thicknesses by depth of cure and Vickers microhardness (VHN). Ceramic specimens (360) (Empress 2 [Ivoclar Vivadent], color 300, diameter 4 mm, height 1 or 2 mm) were prepared and inserted into steel molds according to ISO 4049, after which a dual-cured composite resin luting material (Variolink II [Ivoclar Vivadent]) with and without self-curing catalyst was placed. The light curing units used were either a conventional halogen curing unit (Elipar TriLight [3M/ESPE] for 40 seconds), a high-power halogen curing unit (Astralis 10 [Ivoclar Vivadent] for 20 seconds), a plasma arc curing unit (Aurys [Degré K] for 10 seconds or 20 seconds) or different light emitting diode (LED) curing units (Elipar FreeLight I [3M/ESPE] for 40 seconds, Elipar FreeLight II [3M/ESPE] for 20 seconds, LuxOmax [Akeda] for 40 seconds, e-Light [GC] for 12 seconds or 40 seconds). Depth of cure under the ceramic discs was assessed according to ISO 4049, and VHN at 0.5 and 1.0 mm distance from the ceramic disc bottom was determined (ISO 6507-1). Medians and the 25th and 75th percentiles were determined for each group (n=10), and statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney-U-test (p < or = 0.05). The results showed that increasing ceramic disc thickness had a negative effect on the curing depth and hardness of all light curing units, with hardness decreasing dramatically under the 2-mm thick discs using LuxOmax, e-Light (12 seconds) or Aurys (10 seconds or 20 seconds). The use of a self-curing catalyst is recommended over the light-curable portion only, because it produced an equivalent or greater hardness and depth of cure with all light polymerization modes.
Significance: This body of work gives a concise and comprehensive overview for the clinician and scientist on the latest treatment modalities for hypertrophic scars (HTS) and keloids in the pediatric population, as well as the most promising methods of prevention currently being investigated. This review will serve as a guide to the clinician for treatment selection and as an efficient tool for the scientist to achieve a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature to guide their future experiments aimed at pathologic scar prevention. Recent Advances: Current studies in the literature suggest carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and E-light (bipolar radiofrequency, intense pulsed light, and cooling) are two of the most effective treatment modalities for HTS, while surgical excision+CO2 laser+triamcinolone injection was one of the most successful treatments for keloids. In animal models, drug impregnated electrospun nanofiber dressings offer encouraging results for HTS prevention, while Kelulut honey showed promising results for keloid prevention. Critical Issues: Treatment outcome reproducibility is hindered by small cohorts of patients, inadequate-follow up, and variability in assessment tools. Prevention studies show multiple ways of achieving the same result, yet fall short of complete prevention. Furthermore, some studies that have purported full prevention have not been validated. Future Directions: To establish a standard of care, large clinical trials of the most successful modalities in small cohorts are needed. The key for prevention will be validation in animal models of the most successful methods, followed by translational and clinical studies.
This study examined the depth of cure and surface microhardness of Filtek Z250 composite resin (3M-Espe) (shades B1, A3, and C4) when cured with three commercially available light emitting diode (LED) curing lights [E-light (GC), Elipar Freelight (3M-ESPE), 475H (RF Lab Systems)], compared with a high intensity quartz tungsten halogen (HQTH) light (Kerr Demetron Optilux 501) and a conventional quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) lamp (Sirona S1 dental unit). The effects of light source and resin shade were evaluated as independent variables. Depth of cure after 40 s of exposure was determined using the ISO 4049:2000 method, and Vickers hardness determined at 1.0 mm intervals. HQTH and QTH lamps gave the greatest depth of cure. The three LED lights showed similar performances across all parameters, and each unit exceeded the ISO standard for depth of cure except GC ELight for shade B1. In terms of shade, LED lights gave greater curing depths with A3 shade, while QTH and HQTH lights gave greater curing depths with C4 shade. Hardness at the resin surface was not significantly different between LED and conventional curing lights, however, below the surface, hardness reduced more rapidly for the LED lights, especially at depths beyond 3 mm. Since the performance of the three LED lights meets the ISO standard for depth of cure, these systems appear suitable for routine clinical application for resin curing.
The interaction between cell surface receptors and extracellular ligands is highly related to many physiological processes in living systems. Many techniques have been developed to measure the ligand-receptor binding kinetics at the single-cell level. However, few techniques can measure the physiologically relevant shear binding affinity over a single cell in the clinical environment. Here, we develop a new optical technique, termed single-cell rotational adhesion frequency assay (scRAFA), that mimics in vivo cell adhesion to achieve label-free determination of both homogeneous and heterogeneous binding kinetics of targeted cells at the subcellular level. Moreover, the scRAFA is also applicable to analyze the binding affinities on a single cell in native human biofluids. With its superior performance and general applicability, scRAFA is expected to find applications in study of the spatial organization of cell surface receptors and diagnosis of infectious diseases. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43593-022-00020-4.