On September 14, 2015 at 09:50:45 UTC the two detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory simultaneously observed a transient gravitational-wave signal. The signal sweeps upwards in frequency from 35 to 250 Hz with a peak gravitational-wave strain of 1.0×10(-21). It matches the waveform predicted by general relativity for the inspiral and merger of a pair of black holes and the ringdown of the resulting single black hole. The signal was observed with a matched-filter signal-to-noise ratio of 24 and a false alarm rate estimated to be less than 1 event per 203,000 years, equivalent to a significance greater than 5.1σ. The source lies at a luminosity distance of 410(-180)(+160)  Mpc corresponding to a redshift z=0.09(-0.04)(+0.03). In the source frame, the initial black hole masses are 36(-4)(+5)M⊙ and 29(-4)(+4)M⊙, and the final black hole mass is 62(-4)(+4)M⊙, with 3.0(-0.5)(+0.5)M⊙c(2) radiated in gravitational waves. All uncertainties define 90% credible intervals. These observations demonstrate the existence of binary stellar-mass black hole systems. This is the first direct detection of gravitational waves and the first observation of a binary black hole merger.

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The Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger

Our understanding of the cellular implementation of systems-level neural processes like action, thought and emotion has been limited by the availability of tools to interrogate specific classes of neural cells within intact, living brain tissue. Here we identify and develop an archaeal light-driven chloride pump (NpHR) from Natronomonas pharaonis for temporally precise optical inhibition of neural activity. NpHR allows either knockout of single action potentials, or sustained blockade of spiking. NpHR is compatible with ChR2, the previous optical excitation technology we have described, in that the two opposing probes operate at similar light powers but with well-separated action spectra. NpHR, like ChR2, functions in mammals without exogenous cofactors, and the two probes can be integrated with calcium imaging in mammalian brain tissue for bidirectional optical modulation and readout of neural activity. Likewise, NpHR and ChR2 can be targeted together to Caenorhabditis elegans muscle and cholinergic motor neurons to control locomotion bidirectionally. NpHR and ChR2 form a complete system for multimodal, high-speed, genetically targeted, all-optical interrogation of living neural circuits.

Multimodal fast optical interrogation of neural circuitry

* The only book describing applications of nonlinear fiber optics * Two new chapters on the latest developments: highly nonlinear fibers and quantum applications* Coverage of biomedical applications* Problems provided at the end of each chapterThe development of new highly nonlinear fibers - referred to as microstructured fibers, holey fibers and photonic crystal fibers - is the next generation technology for all-optical signal processing and biomedical applications. This new edition has been thoroughly updated to incorporate these key technology developments.The book presents sound coverage of the fundamentals of lightwave technology, along with material on pulse compression techniques and rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers and lasers. The extensively revised chapters include information on fiber-optic communication systems and the ultrafast signal processing techniques that make use of nonlinear phenomena in optical fibers.New material focuses on the applications of highly nonlinear fibers in areas ranging from wavelength laser tuning and nonlinear spectroscopy to biomedical imaging and frequency metrology. Technologies such as quantum cryptography, quantum computing, and quantum communications are also covered in a new chapter.This book will be an ideal reference for: RD scientists involved with research on fiber amplifiers and lasers; graduate students and researchers working in the fields of optical communications and quantum information. * The only book on how to develop nonlinear fiber optic applications* Two new chapters on the latest developments; Highly Nonlinear Fibers and Quantum Applications* Coverage of biomedical applications

Applications of nonlinear fiber optics

Under strong laser radiation, a Dirac material, the topological insulator (TI) Bi2Te3, exhibits an optical transmittance increase as a result of saturable absorption. Based on an open-aperture Z-scan measurement at 1550 nm, we clearly show that the TI, Bi2Te3 under our investigation, is indeed a very-high-modulation-depth (up to 95%) saturable absorber. Furthermore, a TI based saturable absorber device was fabricated and used as a passive mode locker for ultrafast pulse formation at the telecommunication band. This contribution unambiguously shows that apart from its fantastic electronic property, a TI (Bi2Te3) may also possess attractive optoelectronic property for ultrafast photonics.

Ultra-short pulse generation by a topological insulator based saturable absorber

The emergence of novel two-dimensional (2D) monoelemental materials (Xenes) has shown remarkable potential for their applications in different fields of technology, as well as addressing new discoveries in fundamental science. Xenes (e.g., borophene, silicene, germanene, stanene, phosphorene, arsenene, antimonene, bismuthene, and tellurene) are of particular interest because they are the most chemically tractable materials for synthetic exploration. Owing to their excellent physical, chemical, electronic and optical properties, Xenes have been regarded as promising agents for biosensors, bioimaging, therapeutic delivery, and theranostics, as well as in several other new bio-applications. In this tutorial review, we summarize their general properties including the classification of Xenes according to their bulk properties. The synthetic and modification methods of Xenes are also presented. Furthermore, the representative Xene nanoplatforms for various biomedical applications are highlighted. Finally, research progress, challenges, and perspectives for the future development of Xenes in biomedicines are discussed.

Emerging two-dimensional monoelemental materials (Xenes) for biomedical applications

Graphene-based passively Q-switched 2 μm thulium-doped fiber laser

Laser spectroscopy outperforms electrochemical and semiconductor gas sensors in selectivity and environmental survivability. However, the performance of the state-of-the-art laser sensors is still insufficient for many high precision applications. Here, we report mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy with a dual-mode anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber and demonstrate all-fiber gas (acetylene) detection down to ppt (parts-per-trillion) and <1% instability over a period of 3 hours. An anti-resonant hollow-core fiber could be designed to transmit light signals over a broad wavelength range from visible to infrared, covering molecular absorption lines of many important gases. This would enable multi-component gas detection with a single sensing element and pave the way for ultra-precision gas sensing for medical, environmental and industrial applications. Typically, the performance of the state-of-the-art laser sensors is insufficient for many high precision applications. Here, the authors report mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy with a dual-mode anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber and demonstrate acetylene detection with ultra-high sensitivity.

Mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy for gas detection with an anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber

We observed dissipative soliton resonance phenomenon in a graphene oxide mode-locked Yb-doped fiber laser, which delivered square-shaped pulse of 0.52 ns~60.8 ns and single pulse energy of 159.4 nJ at 1064.9 nm. The 3 dB-bandwidth of Lorentz-shaped spectrum was 0.19 nm. We pointed out that the reverse saturable absorption played a big role in generating square-shaped or flat-top pulses, which verified by additional simulation work.

Dissipative soliton resonance and reverse saturable absorption in graphene oxide mode-locked all-normal-dispersion Yb-doped fiber laser.

In the research field of hollow-core optical fiber (HCF), one type of fiber geometry with a leaky mode nature has unexpectedly taken center stage over the last couple of years: the so-called hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (ARF). The guidance mechanism of this ARF has been elucidated explicitly, the optical performance of the fiber has improved significantly, and the range of potential fiber application areas has expanded steadily. This paper will review our continuous efforts to understand, design, and fabricate this hollow-core ARF with the aim of lower loss and wider bandwidth. We also explore the possibility of using an advanced form of ARF in communications applications. In the long journey of looking for optical fibers that provide better performance than conventional solid-core glass fibers, exploitation of the hidden potential of artificial photonic micro-structures will continue to advance.

Recent Progress in Low-Loss Hollow-Core Anti-Resonant Fibers and Their Applications

We demonstrate a high-power, picosecond, thulium-doped, all-fiber master oscillator power amplifier with average power of 120.4 W. The compact fiber oscillator is carefully designed with high repetition rate for the purpose of overcoming the detrimental effects of fiber nonlinearity in the later fiber amplifiers. The pulse duration of 16 ps at 333.75 MHz repetition rate results in a peak power of 22.5 kW in the final fiber power amplifier. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of average power exceeding 100 W from an ultrashort pulse laser at 2 μm wavelength. On the other hand, by decreasing the fiber oscillator repetition rate and pulse duration for enhancing the fiber nonlinearity effects, we also demonstrate a high-power supercontinuum source with average power of 36 W from 1.95 μm to beyond 2.4 μm in the final fiber power amplifier.

Pu Wang

Papers

Graphene-based passively Q-switched 2 μm thulium-doped fiber laser

Mode-phase-difference photothermal spectroscopy for gas detection with an anti-resonant hollow-core optical fiber

Dissipative soliton resonance and reverse saturable absorption in graphene oxide mode-locked all-normal-dispersion Yb-doped fiber laser.

Recent Progress in Low-Loss Hollow-Core Anti-Resonant Fibers and Their Applications

High average power picosecond pulse and supercontinuum generation from a thulium-doped, all-fiber amplifier.