Polaritons are half-light half-matter quasi particles resulting from the strong coupling between light and matter. This unique composition confers exceptional properties including low effective mass and pronounced nonlinearities arising from interactions of the matter part, facilitating high-temperature Bose-Einstein condensation. Ultrafast energy relaxation dynamics lies at the heart of the functionality of polaritons for various optoelectronic applications including low threshold polariton lasing, macroscopic quantum phenomena like superfluidity, all-optical switching, and long-range energy transport. Transient absorption/reflection spectroscopy has been widely used to probe the polariton dynamics. However, the existence of multiple resonances (lower polariton, upper polariton, exciton reservoir) makes it challenging to clearly disentangle the dynamics for different branches and elucidate their coupling. Ultrafast two-dimensional spectroscopy, providing simultaneously high time and frequency resolution, and the correlation between excitation and detection frequency, is more sensitive in studying such coupling systems. We review recent experimental two-dimensional spectroscopy study of polaritons dynamics, including incoherent relaxation and dissipation, coherent Rabi oscillation and its manipulation, and energy transfer dynamics within multi-component cavity polaritons.

ABSTRACT Single-photon detectors capable of detecting short-wave infrared (SWIR) light have undergone significant research and development over the past 30 years. Most innovations in single-photon detectors have focused on two types of devices: superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) and semiconductor-based single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors. These sensitive, picosecond time-resolved photon detectors have been employed in a wide range of emerging applications near and in the SWIR region including use in light detection and ranging (LiDAR), quantum networks, quantum computing, and a variety of biophotonics applications. Emerging quantum technology applications require single-photon detectors with high detection efficiency, ultra-low dark count rates, high counting rates and low timing jitter. This review presents an overview of the state-of-the-art of SNSPDs and SPADs operating at a wavelength of 1310 nm or 1550 nm, both for single-pixels and arrayed detectors, as well as recent demonstrations of these extremely sensitive detectors in emerging applications. The main advantages and use-cases of each type of detector will be discussed, highlighting significant achievements and identifying areas for future development.

Biomolecular condensates are integral to processes underlying cellular function and dysfunction, and they also present a versatile platform for engineering living cells. Understanding how molecular interactions give rise to condensate form and function is, therefore, a major area of research. Computational modeling has emerged as a powerful tool for uncovering the biophysical principles underlying condensates. Because condensate biophysics spans multiple spatiotemporal scales, from interactions of amino acid side chains to the emergent material properties of entire condensates, decoding their behavior requires multiscale strategies. In this review, we discuss three core classes of computational modeling approaches that extend our ability to probe condensates. We first examine atomistic modeling, which enables a detailed examination of interactions that encode condensate behaviors. We then discuss coarse-grained modeling, with a focus on residue-resolution models, which advance our ability to predict condensate properties with both precision and efficiency. Finally, we summarize advances in data-driven and machine-learning approaches, which leverage molecular simulations to map sequence–property relationships of condensates at a fraction of the cost. Throughout the review, we highlight the key ingredients of each approach, the types of simulations and modeling strategies employed, and the primary observables that can be measured. In doing so, we aim for this review to serve as both an informative and practical guide for leveraging computational approaches to understand and engineer biomolecular condensates.

Recent advancements in nanoscale physics have resulted in a paradigm shift towards point-of-care (POC) complex healthcare diagnostics, enabling real-time biomolecular detection. These innovations are based on manipulating complex light–matter interactions at the nanoscale, where photons couple with plasmons, excitons, phonons, and resonant cavities to transduce biomolecular events into quantifiable optical signals. This review presents a physics-oriented overview and quantitative comparison of POC nano-optical biosensors based on the dominant fundamental light–matter interaction mechanism at the nanoscale. It includes surface plasmon resonance (localized, imaging, and long-range), interferometric methods (plasmon-assisted, dual-beam, and frequency-domain reflectometry), fluorescence and colorimetric assays, along with resonator-enabled architectures including whispering gallery modes, photonic crystals, Raman scattering, and optical coherence tomography. Emerging modalities, including photothermal, chemiluminescence, and nonlinear optical biosensors, are highlighted due to their wide and dynamic detection range, spanning from the micromolar to the challenging attomolar range. Besides, it details the advancements, device-miniaturization strategies, integration with advanced nanomaterials and microfluidics, and persistent challenges such as stability, non-specificity, and signal interference alongside proposed solutions. Finally, it presents future directions, including multi-modal sensing, wearable platforms, and AI-assisted predictive modelling, pointing towards next-generation of physics-enabled POC biosensors that can deliver accessible, accurate, and personalised healthcare.

ABSTRACT Spintronics technology enables electrical reading and writing of magnetization orders, thus have led to development of magnetic random access memory (MRAM). Owing to its superior properties of size, speed, and endurance, MRAM is promising for applications in internet-of-things, automotive microcontrollers, and data centers. Here, we review key spintronic technologies of magnetoresistance and spin-transfer torque, which are the operating mechanism for MRAM, and properties and status of MRAM commercialization. We also review recent achievements and future challenges in emerging topics of spin-orbit torque, voltage gating, orbitronics, and antiferromagnetic spintronics, and new applications of spin-torque oscillators, probabilistic computing, and skyrmion-based applications.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials like transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) nanosheets and their heterostructures have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse properties. The growth of defect-free and scalable TMDCs is a major concern nowadays to utilize their real potential in a wide range of applications like nano-electronics, photonics, sensing, energy storage, optoelectronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. To overcome this issue, there is a dire need to understand the gaps and limitations in their fabrication techniques. This paper focuses on synthesis gaps and categorizes applications of TMDCs based on their ideal properties by summarizing the roadmap for their fabrication and screening, experimentally and theoretically, with special reference to density functional theory (DFT) based calculations and some basics of machine learning that support the numerical simulation in many domains. Finally, the difficulties and obstacles that arise while applying TMDCs in the real-world industry are also debated. Greater dedication is required to overcome the obstacles to fully exploit the potential of TMDCs.

ABSTRACT Although nuclear energy is a clean and sustainable source, inherent safety concerns have long been recognized and were critically highlighted by the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents. A significant amount of research is focused on improving accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) technologies to enhance the safety features of reactors. Choosing the right material for the fuel-rod cladding is the most crucial part of the nuclear fuel system and is necessary to develop ATF ideas. Concerning their thermomechanical integrity, high-temperature oxidation resistance, irradiation tolerance, and manufacturability for light-water reactors (LWRs), this review offers a thorough benchmarking of three top ATF cladding candidates – silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composites (SiCf/SiC), iron-chromium-aluminum alloys (FeCrAl), and chromium-coated zirconium alloy (Cr-coated Zr-alloy). Moreover, it addresses the performance metrics gap by elucidating the qualification pathways, including lead test rod campaigns, hermetic joining techniques for SiCf/SiC, weld optimization for FeCrAl, and comprehensive uniformity controls for Cr-coated Zr-alloy. This review further defines an executable R&D plan for the mid-2030s deployment of ATF claddings in current LWR fleets by directly comparing critical criteria and identifying feasible certification and licensing policies.

Light is fundamental to human perception and understanding of the world. Modern technology now harnesses it as a versatile tool for controlling a wide range of natural processes. Generally, light fields carry both energy and momentum: their linear momentum creates radiation pressure, while their intrinsic spin angular momentum is linked to polarization. Light fields embedded with orbital angular momentum (OAM)- also known as optical vortices (OVs)- have truly revolutionized optics and deepened our understanding of light-matter interaction across scales. OVs—characterized by twisted phase fronts and a central intensity null—have found applications in microparticle manipulation, microscopy, optical communication, and quantum information science, among others. In this review, we revisit some of the fundamental concepts on OVs and discuss extensively on how this new dimension of light has been exploited in both linear and nonlinear optical regimes. We briefly discuss the different types of vortex beams, the techniques used to generate them and detect their OAM, and their propagation in various media. Particularly, we put a special emphasis on the utilization of vortex beams in nonlinear perturbative and non-perturbative regimes to explain different optical phenomena such as the second harmonic generation, sum frequency generation, parametric down-conversion, and high-order harmonic generation.

ABSTRACT Owing to their tunable optical, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties, nanostructured materials assembled from nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted growing interest. Their collective behavior is governed by NP size, shape, surface chemistry, and spatial organization. Bottom-up self-assembly provides a versatile fabrication route, typically requiring a soft medium to mediate NP interactions. Lipid membranes are particularly attractive scaffolds for NP assembly due to their low dimensionality, fluidity, and elasticity. NP adhesion to lipid membranes induces curvature deformation extending beyond the particle size. Overlap of these deformations generates effective multibody, curvature-mediated interactions that can drive NP self-assembly. This review summarizes recent coarse-grained molecular dynamics studies of NP self-assembly on planar lipid membranes and vesicles. Uniform NPs adhering to the inner leaflet of vesicles form quasi-two-dimensional, star-like nanoclusters stabilized by repulsive curvature-mediated interactions, whereas NPs on planar membranes or outer leaflet of vesicles assemble into linear close-packed chains. Introducing surface anisotropy through Janus modification overcomes these limitations by suppressing close-packed aggregation and endocytosis. Janus NPs on lipid vesicles form deltahedral nanoclusters, including some Platonic solids. On planar membranes, they assemble into triangular superlattices. Geometric anisotropy expands the range of accessible membrane-mediated assemblies. These findings highlight lipid membranes as adaptive scaffolds for reconfigurable nanostructures without direct NP-NP binding.

ABSTRACT Optical Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) offers the potential for unprecedented angular resolution in both astronomical imaging and geodesy measurements. Classical approaches face limitations due to photon loss, background noise, and their need for dynamical delay lines over large distances. This review surveys recent developments in quantum-enabled optical VLBI that address these challenges using entanglement-assisted protocols, quantum memory storage, and nonlocal measurement techniques. While its application to astronomy is well known, we also examine how these techniques may be extended to geodesy–specifically, the monitoring of Earth’s rotation. Particular attention is given to quantum-enhanced telescope architectures, including repeater-based long-baseline interferometry and quantum error-corrected encoding schemes, which offer a pathway toward high-fidelity optical VLBI. To aid the discussion, we also compare specifications for key enabling technologies to current state-of-the-art experimental components. By integrating quantum technologies, future interferometric networks may achieve diffraction-limited imaging at optical and near-infrared wavelengths, surpassing the constraints of classical techniques and enabling new precision tests of astrophysical and fundamental physics phenomena.