Researchers develop new measurement and material technologies for laser and plasma science

An international research group has developed a novel measurement method capable of simultaneously capturing diffraction signals from nano to sub-micrometer scales using a single camera and a single X-ray pulse. By combining this technique with X-ray free-electron lasers, researchers determined the expansion velocity of high-energy-density plasma occurring at picosecond speeds. The study revealed that even a few nanometers of increase in the size of initial plasma on a solid surface can reduce laser absorption efficiency by approximately one-quarter.

In a separate advancement, a research team has proposed a molecular design method to overcome the trade-off between processability and crystallinity in organic single-crystal laser media. By introducing methoxy groups to inhibit intermolecular CH–π interactions, the researchers increased the solubility of certain molecules by approximately 19 times while simultaneously raising the photoluminescence quantum yield from 53% to 81%. This approach allows for melt-processing, enabling the creation of luminescent text and thin films that maintain amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties, offering potential for next-generation micro-light sources and optical integration devices.