Issues
Readers’ Forum
Search and Discovery
Rydberg excitations power a new single-photon source
A long-range interaction prevents two atoms from simultaneously being driven to highly excited states.
Graphene photodetectors get gain
By spraying quantum dots onto a graphene flake in a circuit, researchers have produced a phototransistor a billion times more sensitive than any prior graphene-based device.
Artificial materials manipulate heat flow
The layered composites conduct heat anisotropically, to counterintuitive effect.
Issues and Events
Canada’s researchers fret over shifts in funding landscape
Moves to increase global competitiveness could hurt the country’s research enterprise.
Scientists share blame for public’s ignorance of science
Social scientists call for “smartening up” the process of disseminating scientific information to lay audiences.
NASA receives spy telescopes
Surplus instruments could mean big savings for future astrophysics missions, but not anytime soon.
New international scientific organization is launched
Goal is to harmonize peer review criteria and other research policy issues among developed and developing nations.
Articles
Quantum optomechanics
Aided by optical cavitiesand superconductingcircuits, researchers are coaxing ever-larger objects to wiggle, shake, and flex in ways that are distinctly quantum mechanical.
Topological phases and quasiparticle braiding
Phases of matter distinguished by topological properties sometimes possess quasiparticles with bizarre statistics. Those that do may see applications in quantum information processing.
Discovery or fluke: statistics in particle physics
When you’re searching for elusive manifestations of new physics, it’s easy to be fooled by statistical fluctuations or instrumental quirks.
Books
New Products
Obituaries
Robert Gohl Fuller
Quick Study
Musical rhythms: The science of being slightly off
With a statistical understanding of our natural rhythmic imperfections, one can make computer-generated music sound more human.