Optical microscope image of a representative crystal that possesses centrosymmetry, yet shows differential absorption of circularly polarized light. The crystal is made of lithium, cobalt, selenium ...

A surprising trick that allows a beam of light to be completely absorbed even in the thinnest of layers: Using mirrors and lenses, a 'light trap' can be constructed, in which the light beam is steered ...

A group of physicists from Russia, Sweden, and the U.S. has demonstrated a highly unusual optical effect: They managed to "virtually" absorb light using a material that has no light-absorbing capacity ...

Just when scientists thought they knew everything about crystals, a Northwestern University and University of Wisconsin-Madison collaboration has uncovered a hidden secret. Centrosymmetric crystals ...

Materials get their optical properties based on how much they reflect, absorb or transmit different wavelengths (colors) of light. Usually optical coatings either reflect or transmit a given color of ...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Recently, University of British Columbia (UBC) scientists discovered a super-black material that absorbs 99% of light. The new material, which is composed of wood, could ...