Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland) have developed a highly sensitive, low-cost NIR spectroscopy technique that can measure the specific wavelengths used in telecommunications as well as single-photon levels of infrared light given off by fragile biomaterials and nanomaterials.
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland) have developed a highly sensitive, low-cost NIR spectroscopy technique that can measure the specific wavelengths used in telecommunications as well as single-photon levels of infrared light given off by fragile biomaterials and nanomaterials. The approach “up converts” infrared photons up to the visible range using a tunable laser. The narrow-band pump laser scans the infrared signal photons and converts only those that have the desired polarization and wavelength to visible light. The visible light is easily detected by commercially available avalanche photodiode detectors. The new system reportedly enables spectra to be measured with a sensitivity that is greater than 1000 times that of current commercial optical spectral instruments.
How Satellite-Based Spectroscopy is Transforming Inland Water Quality Monitoring
Published: April 29th 2025 | Updated: April 29th 2025New research highlights how remote satellite sensing technologies are changing the way scientists monitor inland water quality, offering powerful tools for tracking pollutants, analyzing ecological health, and supporting environmental policies across the globe.
Chinese Researchers Develop Dual-Channel Probe for Biothiol Detection
April 28th 2025Researchers at Qiqihar Medical University have developed a dual-channel fluorescent probe, PYL-NBD, that enables highly sensitive, rapid, and selective detection of biothiols in food, pharmaceuticals, and living organisms.
The fNIRS Glossary Project: A Community-Sourced Glossary of Key Terms
April 28th 2025Established to develop a community-sourced glossary covering key functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) terms, including those related to the continuous-wave (CW), frequency-domain (FD), and time-domain (TD) NIRS techniques, the fNIRS Glossary Project features over 300 terms categorized into six key domains: analysis, experimental design, hardware, neuroscience, mathematics, and physics. It also includes abbreviations, symbols, synonyms, references, alternative definitions, and figures where relevant.