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Plasma Televisions (TV) - How Plasma Screens and Displays Work

Plasma display technology has emerged as an alternative to cathode ray tube or CRT-based televisions. Plasma display technology offers a number of advantages such as the possibility of producing a very large screen and a narrow body.

6 Feb 2008

Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Study Reactions on the Microscale

In a significant step towards improving the design of future catalysts and catalytic reactors, especially for microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” devices, researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California (UC) at Berkeley, have successfully applied magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the study of gas-phase reactions on the microscale.

29 Jan 2008

Glossary and Definitions of Terms Related To Optics and Photonics

28 Jan 2008

Periscopes - What is a Periscope?

A periscope is an optical instrument that uses a system of prisms, lenses, or mirrors to reflect images through a tube.

28 Jan 2008

How Do Mirrors Work?

As we look around a room, we see most objects by the light that is diffusely reflected from them. Diffuse reflection of light takes place when the surface of the object is not smooth.

28 Jan 2008

Holograms and How Holograms Are Made

Holograms are no longer a mysterious part of science fiction. They are now an integral part of numerous consumer goods including credit cards, drivers licences, software CDs and even the cash currency of some countries.

27 Jan 2008

Freeform Optics - Manufacturing Optical Components Using Freeform Surfacing Equipment

In some instances, features of an optical system like lenses, mirrors and other reflectors, are required that cannot be readily made using conventional optics manufacturing processes like grinding, lapping and polishing.

27 Jan 2008

Chandra X-ray Observatory - Space Based Telescope Exploring The Invisible Universe

To the human eye, space appears serene and void. It is neither. To the “eye” of an X-ray telescope, the universe is totally different - a violent, vibrant, and ever-changing place.

27 Jan 2008

CCD Sensors - A Basic Look at How The Fundamental Key to Modern Digital Imaging Works

Without CCD detectors our modern lives would not have the current influx of ubiquitous video cameras, digital cameras, and camera telephones. CCD detectors or sensors are the light sensitive detectors that capture the image in the majority of these cameras.

27 Jan 2008

World's Best Microscope Revealed

TEAM 0.5, the world's most powerful transmission electron microscope has been installed at the Department of Energy's National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

23 Jan 2008