Read article: Carbonaceous ‘cosmic barometer’ reveals universe’s history Telescopes and space missions Research update Carbonaceous ‘cosmic barometer’ reveals universe’s history Extreme pressures alter molecular structure of aromatic hydrocarbons
Read article: Tiny mechanical resonator made from just four molecules Structure and dynamics Research update Tiny mechanical resonator made from just four molecules Beam is the world's smallest man-made nanomechanical oscillator
Read article: Graphene gains thermal vision Transport properties Research update Graphene gains thermal vision Room-temperature detector is first to cover infrared spectrum
Read article: Molecules line up for X-ray diffraction Ultrafast science Research update Molecules line up for X-ray diffraction New technique could soon be used on peptides
Read article: The power of YouTube Structure and dynamics Feature The power of YouTube Philip Moriarty describes his experiences in front of the camera as one of the stars of the Sixty Symbols series of YouTube videos
Read article: Dark field illuminates X-ray imaging Ultrafast science Research update Dark field illuminates X-ray imaging New technique uses discarded X-rays to unmask materials
Read article: Ordering electron and nuclear spins in quantum wires Transport properties Research update Ordering electron and nuclear spins in quantum wires Spontaneous magnetic order of spins observed at 0.1 K
Read article: Graphene oxide makes perfect sieve Transport properties Research update Graphene oxide makes perfect sieve Membranes could be ideal in water filtration and desalination technologies
Read article: Powerful fibre laser is cheap and compact Ultrafast science Research update Powerful fibre laser is cheap and compact Mid-infrared light source could have medical applications
Read article: Pyramid powers polarizing light source using quantum dots Ultrafast science Research update Pyramid powers polarizing light source using quantum dots Method could be used to develop energy-saving LCD screens and for quantum cryptography
Optics & Photonics Briefing This issue explores lasers and detectors, solar power, medical imaging and high-resolution displays