New Laser Imaging Technique Unlocks Nanoscale Heat and Charge Transport in Diamond
A new laser-based imaging technique has been developed to study nanoscale heat and charge transport in ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors like diamond. By utilising a tabletop deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser, researchers have achieved spatial resolutions of 287 nanometres, enabling detailed analysis of diamond’s transport behaviours. This breakthrough addresses the limitations of visible-light imaging methods and could revolutionise the design of high-efficiency power electronics and communication systems.
Study Reveals Unique Capabilities of the DUV Microscope
According to the study published in Physical Review Applied, the microscope generates high-energy DUV light to create interference patterns on the material’s surface, forming sinusoidal heating profiles. Researchers at JILA, led by Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn, developed this innovative technique in collaboration with graduate students Emma Nelson, Theodore Culman and Brendan McBennett and industry partners from 3M. The study overcomes significant challenges in imaging ultrawide-bandgap materials, which cannot be probed with conventional visible light due to their large energy gaps.
Development and Validation of the DUV System
As reported by phys.org, the team designed the system by converting an 800-nanometre laser pulse into shorter wavelengths through nonlinear crystals. This process created a powerful DUV light source capable of forming nanoscale transient gratings on a material’s surface. The system was tested and refined over several years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nelson emphasised that achieving precise alignment in the system was critical to generating accurate nanoscale patterns.
Breakthroughs in Diamond Analysis
The system was validated using thin gold films, where it successfully measured material properties such as elasticity and density. Once confirmed, the microscope was applied to diamond, allowing researchers to observe charge carrier diffusion and nanoscale heat transport without altering the material. The study revealed complex behaviours like ballistic and hydrodynamic effects, challenging traditional models of heat flow.
Implications for Advanced Electronics
The insights gained could shape the future of electronics by enhancing the understanding of nanoscale transport in ultrawide-bandgap materials. Researchers believe this innovation will advance the development of power electronics, communication systems, and quantum technologies.
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A major development in stem cell science has been achieved with the creation of a bi-paternal mouse, marking a significant step in reproductive biology. Scientists have successfully engineered a mouse with two male biological parents, which managed to survive into adulthood. This research, conducted by a team of stem cell experts, has addressed longstanding barriers in unisexual mammalian reproduction by modifying specific imprinting genes. The findings, which could have implications for regenerative medicine, highlight the challenges and potential future applications of the technology.
Genetic Modifications Enable Bi-Paternal Development
According to the study published in Cell Stem Cell, led by Wei Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the team focused on overcoming imprinting-related challenges that previously prevented embryos with same-sex genetic origins from developing fully. Modifications were made to 20 imprinting genes using techniques such as frameshift mutations, gene deletions, and regulatory region edits. These changes allowed some bi-paternal embryos to survive to birth and, in rare cases, reach adulthood.
Co-corresponding author Qi Zhou of CAS explained to phys.org, that imprinting genes have been identified as a key obstacle in unisexual reproduction. Despite previous attempts using ovarian organoids derived from male stem cells, imprinting abnormalities caused severe developmental defects. By directly editing these genes, the research team improved embryonic viability and the stability of pluripotent stem cells.
Survival and Reproductive Challenges Remain
As per reports, only 11.8 percent of the engineered embryos developed to birth, and those that survived exhibited developmental abnormalities, reduced lifespan, and sterility. Guan-Zheng Luo of Sun Yat-sen University, a co-corresponding author, stated that imprinting abnormalities have been confirmed as the primary factor preventing unisexual reproduction in mammals.
Despite the limitations, this approach has demonstrated the potential for refining stem cell-based therapies and improving cloning efficiency. Researchers plan to expand the study to larger mammals, though substantial challenges remain due to differences in imprinting gene patterns across species.
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An unidentified celestial object, estimated to be eight times the mass of Jupiter, may have significantly altered the orbits of four outer planets in the solar system. Reports suggest that this planetary-sized body entered the solar system billions of years ago, passing remarkably close to the Sun—near what is now Mars’ orbit. The event is believed to have modified the trajectories of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, contributing to their current orbital patterns. Scientists have long debated the irregularities in the paths of these planets, and this theory presents a potential explanation.
Study Simulates Interstellar Flyby
According to the study published in the arXiv preprint database, a research team led by planetary scientist Renu Malhotra from the University of Arizona used computer simulations to investigate the possibility of a close flyby. A total of 50,000 simulations were conducted to analyse how an interstellar object’s passage could have affected planetary orbits over millions of years. The study focused on objects smaller than stars but larger than Jupiter, including brown dwarfs and planetary-mass bodies. The findings suggest that in about 1% of the cases, the visiting object influenced planetary movements in a way that closely matches current observations.
Close Encounter with the Inner Solar System
As reported by Live Science, Malhotra explained that previous models could not fully account for the slight deviations in planetary orbits. The simulations revealed that the most accurate representation involved a body nearly eight times Jupiter’s mass, approaching as close as 1.69 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. Given that Mars orbits at around 1.5 AU, this suggests a dramatic interaction within the inner solar system.
Potential for More Such Events
Reports indicate that substellar objects are relatively common in the universe, making such flybys more likely than encounters with full-sized stars. The study has yet to undergo peer review, but the findings suggest that a single interstellar object could have been responsible for shaping the structure of the solar system as observed today.
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