Night magic is a concept that has fascinated humans for centuries. It is the idea that when the sun goes down and darkness envelops the world, a different kind of enchantment takes over. The night becomes a canvas for mysterious and captivating experiences. One of the most captivating aspects of night magic is the transformation of nature. The stars in the sky shine brighter, casting a mesmerizing glow over the world. The moon, with its soothing presence, adds a touch of ethereal beauty to the darkness.
“White” light from a tungsten lamp is focused into the tip of a silver nanowire to check the light scattering and absorption of a sample with high fidelity. (Ma et. al, 2021)
Scientists have developed new materials for next-generation electronics so tiny that they are not only indistinguishable when closely packed, but they also don t reflect enough light to show fine details, such as colors, with even the most powerful optical microscopes. The researchers expect that the new technology can be an important tool to help the semiconductor industry make uniform nanomaterials with consistent properties for use in electronic devices.
The moon, with its soothing presence, adds a touch of ethereal beauty to the darkness. Plants and flowers that hide during the day come to life under the night sky, their delicate petals and vibrant colors illuminated by the soft moonlight. The night also holds a certain power over human emotions.
“Magic wand” reveals a colorful nano-world
Scientists have developed new materials for next-generation electronics so tiny that they are not only indistinguishable when closely packed, but they also don’t reflect enough light to show fine details, such as colors, with even the most powerful optical microscopes. Under an optical microscope, carbon nanotubes, for example, look grayish. The inability to distinguish fine details and differences between individual pieces of nanomaterials makes it hard for scientists to study their unique properties and discover ways to perfect them for industrial use.
“White” light from a tungsten lamp is focused into the tip of a silver nanowire to check the light scattering and absorption of a sample with high fidelity. (Ma et. al, 2021)
In a new report in Nature Communications, researchers from UC Riverside describe a revolutionary imaging technology that compresses lamp light into a nanometer-sized spot. It holds that light at the end of a silver nanowire like a Hogwarts student practicing the “Lumos” spell, and uses it to reveal previously invisible details, including colors.
The advance, improving color-imaging resolution to an unprecedented 6 nanometer level, will help scientists see nanomaterials in enough detail to make them more useful in electronics and other applications.
Ming Liu and Ruoxue Yan, associate professors in UC Riverside’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, developed this unique tool with a superfocusing technique developed by the team. The technique has been used in previous work to observe the vibration of molecular bonds at 1-nanometer spatial resolution without the need of any focusing lens.
This visualization shows the fiber-in-fiber-out process for optical spectroscopy measurement. Credit: Liu Group/UCR
In the new report, Liu and Yan modified the tool to measure signals spanning the whole visible wavelength range, which can be used to render the color and depict the electronic band structures of the object instead of only molecule vibrations. The tool squeezes the light from a tungsten lamp into a silver nanowire with near-zero scattering or reflection, where light is carried by the oscillation wave of free electrons at the silver surface.
The condensed light leaves the silver nanowire tip, which has a radius of just 5 nanometers, in a conical path, like the light beam from a flashlight. When the tip passes over an object, its influence on the beam shape and color is detected and recorded.
“It is like using your thumb to control the water spray from a hose,” Liu said, “You know how to get the desired spraying pattern by changing the thumb position, and likewise, in the experiment, we read the light pattern to retrieve the details of the object blocking the 5 nm-sized light nozzle.”
The light is then focused into a spectrometer, where it forms a tiny ring shape. By scanning the probe over an area and recording two spectra for each pixel, the researchers can formulate the absorption and scattering images with colors. The originally grayish carbon nanotubes receive their first color photograph, and an individual carbon nanotube now has the chance to exhibit its unique color.
“The atomically smooth sharp-tip silver nanowire and its nearly scatterless optical coupling and focusing is critical for the imaging,” Yan said. “Otherwise there would be intense stray light in the background that ruins the whole effort. “
The researchers expect that the new technology can be an important tool to help the semiconductor industry make uniform nanomaterials with consistent properties for use in electronic devices. The new full-color nano-imaging technique could also be used to improve understanding of catalysis, quantum optics, and nanoelectronics.
Liu, Yan, and Ma were joined in the research by Xuezhi Ma, who worked on the project as part of his doctoral research at UCR Riverside. Researchers also included UCR students Qiushi Liu, Ning Yu, Da Xu, Sanggon Kim; Zebin Liu and Kaili Jiang at Tsinghua University, and UCR professor Bryan Wong. The paper, titled “6 nm super-resolution optical transmission and scattering spectroscopic imaging of carbon nanotubes using a nanometer-scale white light source,” is available here.
“It is like using your thumb to control the water spray from a hose,” Liu said, “You know how to get the desired spraying pattern by changing the thumb position, and likewise, in the experiment, we read the light pattern to retrieve the details of the object blocking the 5 nm-sized light nozzle.”
It creates an atmosphere of mystery and unrest, stirring our imaginations and inspiring creativity. Many artists, writers, and musicians have found solace and inspiration in the stillness and secrecy of the night. It is a time when the boundaries between reality and fantasy seem to blur, allowing our minds to wander into unexplored territories. Night magic is also deeply linked to spirituality and the supernatural. In many cultures, the night is when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is thinnest. It is believed that during the night, spirits and supernatural beings roam freely, making the unknown feel more tangible. This belief has given birth to countless stories of ghosts, witches, and other mystical creatures that thrive under the cover of darkness. But night magic is not limited to folklore and superstition. It can also be found in the simple pleasures of everyday life. Sitting under the night sky, surrounded by the sounds of nature, can be a profoundly peaceful and transformative experience. The whispering of the wind, the rustling of leaves, and the chirping of nocturnal creatures create a symphony of sounds that lulls us into a state of serenity. Night magic avoj can be found in the warm glow of a candle, the flickering of a bonfire, or the twinkling of fairy lights. It is present in the laughter shared among friends during a late-night gathering or the intimacy of a quiet moment spent with a loved one under the stars. In a world that seems to be constantly on the move and filled with noise, night magic offers a much-needed respite. It is a reminder that there is beauty and wonder in the darkness, and that sometimes, the most magical moments happen when the sun goes down. So let us embrace the night, and let its mystical aura surround us like a cloak of enchantment. In the realm of night magic, the possibilities are endless, and the experiences are unique to each person. It is a time when dreams come alive, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. So as the sun sets and the night unfolds, let us open our hearts and minds to the wonders that await, and let ourselves be swept away by the captivating allure of night magic..
Reviews for "The Healing Power of Night Magic: Restoring Balance and Harmony"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Night Magic Avoy", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult for me to connect with the story or the characters. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and lacking the magic it promised.
2. Michael - 1 star - I found "Night Magic Avoy" to be incredibly disappointing. The writing style was disjointed and hard to follow, making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to care about their fates. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused about the magical elements and their significance. Overall, this book was a miss for me, and I wouldn't recommend it.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - "Night Magic Avoy" had an interesting concept, but the execution fell short. The writing style was overly descriptive and weighed down the plot. It felt like the author was trying too hard to create a fantastical world, but the result was overwhelming and distracting. The dialogue was also unnatural and stilted, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. While there were some moments of potential, overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and not worth the read.
4. David - 3 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Night Magic Avoy". While I appreciated the creativity of the magical world and some of the plot twists, I found the pacing to be sluggish and the character development lacking. The story seemed to meander without a clear direction, making it hard for me to stay engaged. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me dissatisfied. Overall, this book had its moments, but it didn't fully deliver on its potential.