Abstract: Identifying 3D objects A method for identification of 3D objects comprises illuminating at least part of a 3D object with electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopically obtaining spectral data for one or more regions of the 3D object, and generating, at a data processing apparatus, an identification result for the 3D object using a trained machine learning model. The trained machine learning model processes the obtained spectral data for the one or more regions to generate one or more model outputs from which the identification result is derived.

Abstract: An optical system configured to apply a relative phase modulation between two orthogonal polarization modes using a double pass configuration, wherein the system is configured to act independently on each polarization state.

Abstract: A network node configured to operate in an optical fiber network can comprise a quantum key distribution (QKD) communication unit adapted to communicate with another QKD communication unit of at least one other network node of the optical fiber network according to a CV-QKD mode and/or a DV-QKD mode. A control unit can be configured to control the QKD communication unit to operate in at least one of the CV-QKD mode and the DV-QKD mode. The control unit can be configured to switch operation of the QKD communication unit between the CV-QKD mode and the DV-QKD mode.

Abstract: Identifying 3D objects A method for identification of 3D objects comprises illuminating at least part of a 3D object with electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopically obtaining spectral data for one or more regions of the 3D object, and generating, at a data processing apparatus, an identification result for the 3D object using a trained machine learning model. The trained machine learning model processes the obtained spectral data for the one or more regions to generate one or more model outputs from which the identification result is derived.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing an article comprising a transparent conductive material, wherein a transparent conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide) is deposited onto a substrate (e.g., fused silica) by physical vapor deposition, then annealed at high temperature (i.e., at least 450° C.) in a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting article comprises a transparent conductive material that reduces the trade-off between low resistivity (or sheet resistance) and high near infrared transmission. For example, the transparent conductive material thus obtained may possess a transmission of at least 80% at 1550 nm while having a resistivity of less than or equal to about 5×10?4 Ohm-cm and a Haacke figure of merit of at least about 40×10?4??1. Also provided is a method for modulating the resistivity and/or the near infrared transmission of a transparent conductive material by annealing the transparent conductive material at a high temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided is a device for detecting airborne particulate matter in aerosols, comprising: an air sampler to collect a sample of airborne particles suspended in air; an optical sensor; a controller; a fluidic apparatus to, under the control of the controller: capture, from the air sampler, and resuspend in a liquid medium, at least part of the airborne particles of the sample; and deliver the resuspended airborne particles to the optical sensor, which is configured to detect airborne particulate matter in the delivered airborne particles. Also provided is a method adapted to use the device of the invention, and to a computer program product adapted to implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: Identifying 3D objects A method for identification of 3D objects comprises illuminating at least part of a 3D object with electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopically obtaining spectral data for one or more regions of the 3D object, and generating, at a data processing apparatus, an identification result for the 3D object using a trained machine learning model. The trained machine learning model processes the obtained spectral data for the one or more regions to generate one or more model outputs from which the identification result is derived.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for forming one or more silicon nanostructures, such as silicon nanotubes, and a silica-containing glass substrate. As a result of the process used to prepare the silicon nanostructures, the silica-containing glass substrate comprises one or more nanopillars and the one or more silicon nanostructures extend from the nanopillars of the silica-containing glass substrate. The silicon nanostructures include nanotubes and optionally nanowires. A further aspect is a method for preparing silicon nanostructures on a silica-containing glass substrate. The method includes providing one or more metal nanoparticles on a silica-containing glass substrate and then performing reactive ion etching of the silica-containing glass substrate under conditions that are suitable for the formation of one or more silicon nanostructures.

Abstract: A method for physical random number generation includes the steps of: modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from the lower threshold to the upper threshold and back; maintaining the gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity; maintaining the net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, in order to create optical pulses of random amplitude; detecting the optical pulses; converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses; and digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are graphene coatings characterized by a porous, three-dimensional, spherical structure having a hollow core, along with methods for forming such graphene coatings on glasses, glass-ceramics, ceramics, and crystalline materials. Such coatings can be further coated with organic or inorganic layers and are useful in chemical and electronic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for probing a sample comprising a light source for emitting an illuminating light beam, a birefringent element for splitting the illuminating light beam into two sheared beams, a reflective element for reflecting the two sheared beams, wherein the apparatus is configured such that the reflected beams propagate through the birefringent element for recombining the reflected beams, and a detector for detecting the recombined beam, wherein the sample is arrangeable in the optical path of the sheared beams or at the backside of a reflective surface in the optical path of the sheared beams, the reflective surface exhibiting a surface plasmon resonance or a localized surface plasmon resonance.

Abstract: A method for physical random number generation includes the steps of: modulating the gain of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser periodically from the lower threshold to the upper threshold and back; maintaining the gain per round trip positive for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity; maintaining the net gain per round trip negative for a longer period than the round trip time of the cavity, in order to create optical pulses of random amplitude; detecting the optical pulses; converting the optical pulses into electrical analog pulses; and digitising the electrical analog pulses into random numbers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are graphene coatings characterized by a porous, three-dimensional, spherical structure having a hollow core, along with methods for forming such graphene coatings on glasses, glass-ceramics, ceramics, and crystalline materials. Such coatings can be further coated with organic or inorganic layers and are useful in chemical and electronic applications.

Abstract: An article comprising: (i) a body, the body comprising a material and a transmittance greater than or equal to 90% throughout an electromagnetic radiation wavelength range of 250 nm to 800 nm; and (ii) cupric oxide (CuO) in direct contact with the material of the body, the cupric oxide (CuO) comprising a thickness that is less than or equal to 1.3 nm. Also disclosed is the article further comprising: an ultra-thin metal film disposed directly on the cupric oxide (CuO). The article demonstrates a transmittance greater than or equal to 65% throughout an electromagnetic radiation wavelength range of 300 nm to 1400 nm. The ultra-thin metal film can be silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), or platinum (Pt). The ultra-thin metal film comprises a thickness within a range of 1 nm to 5 nm. The article at the ultra-thin metal film has a sheet resistance of less than or equal to 2100 ?/?. Additionally, a method of forming the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the detection of optical emission from individual members of a sample of micro-organisms where the flow is focused in a specific region, comprising an optical device including a light source configured to emit light in a first direction to individual members of the sample and a detection device configured to detect in a field of view optical emission from the individual members emitted in a second direction opposite to the first direction and excited by the light emitted by the light source and a fluid device including a storage reservoir configured to store the sample of micro-organisms, a pumping device, in particular, a circulation pump capable of producing different pulsed pressures to affect the flow configured to circulate the sample of micro organisms in the storage reservoir and wherein a capillary channel is arranged in the storage reservoir configured to allow a flow of individual members of the sample such that one individual member only is present

Abstract: A method for fabricating a structured surface, includes: providing a transparent substrate; disposing a dewettable film over the substrate; annealing the dewettable film to form a plurality of islands; forming a coating over the plurality of islands; and etching the plurality of islands to form a structured array of surface features in the coating. A structured polymer and/or structured glass, includes: a structured array of surface features, such that the structured array of surface features has at least one dimension in a range of 0.5 nm to 5000 nm.

Abstract: A method of forming a functionalized device substrate is provided that includes the steps of: forming a conductive layer on a growth substrate; applying a polymeric layer to a device substrate, wherein a coupling agent couples the polymeric layer to the device substrate; coupling the polymeric layer to the conductive layer on the growth substrate; and peeling the growth substrate from the conductive layer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for forming one or more silicon nanostructures, such as silicon nanotubes, and a silica-containing glass substrate. As a result of the process used to prepare the silicon nanostructures, the silica-containing glass substrate comprises one or more nanopillars and the one or more silicon nanostructures extend from the nanopillars of the silica-containing glass substrate. The silicon nanostructures include nanotubes and optionally nanowires. A further aspect is a method for preparing silicon nanostructures on a silica-containing glass substrate. The method includes providing one or more metal nanoparticles on a silica-containing glass substrate and then performing reactive ion etching of the silica-containing glass substrate under conditions that are suitable for the formation of one or more silicon nanostructures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for generating light pulses, comprising a laser device configured to output the light pulses and a pulse driver configured to supply electrical pulses to the laser device to drive the laser device. Furthermore, the pulse driver is configured to supply the electrical pulses with amplitudes/intensities obeying a pre-determined probability distribution to the laser device such that quadrature values of the light pulses obey another pre-determined probability distribution.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for forming one or more silicon nanostructures, such as silicon nanotubes, and a silica-containing glass substrate. As a result of the process used to prepare the silicon nanostructures, the silica-containing glass substrate comprises one or more nanopillars and the one or more silicon nanostructures extend from the nanopillars of the silica-containing glass substrate. The silicon nanostructures include nanotubes and optionally nanowires. A further aspect is a method for preparing silicon nanostructures on a silica-containing glass substrate. The method includes providing one or more metal nanoparticles on a silica-containing glass substrate and then performing reactive ion etching of the silica-containing glass substrate under conditions that are suitable for the formation of one or more silicon nanostructures.