Author Archives: rberkowitz

A Nonlinear Cavity Cools a Cantilever

Posted on January 18, 2023 by rberkowitz

Photons in a nonlinear cavity perform “negative” work on a mechanical oscillator, cooling it toward its ground state. Continue reading →

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The Sounds of Atoms

Posted on January 9, 2023 by rberkowitz

Transforming the spectral lines of each element into a musical tone provides a fun tool for teasing out patterns in the electronic structures of atoms. Continue reading →

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How Freshwater Mixes in a Winter Lake

Posted on January 5, 2023 by rberkowitz

An influx of warmer water mixing with a colder ambient volume can create a dense parcel that drives bottom currents and determines the resulting circulation patterns. Continue reading →

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Lab-Made Motors Could Move and Glow in Cells

Posted on December 21, 2022 by rberkowitz

Minuscule motor molecules could emit light as they journey into cells. Continue reading →

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Dark Matter Goes Down to the Wire

Posted on December 12, 2022 by rberkowitz

A superconducting nanowire detector places new bounds on how a hypothetical lightweight dark matter particle interacts with electrons. Continue reading →

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Foot Functionality Elucidated

Posted on December 8, 2022 by rberkowitz

When humans walk, our feet act as levers rather than landing pads as previously thought. Continue reading →

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Physics in Confined Spaces

Posted on December 2, 2022 by rberkowitz

Erin Flowers develops laboratory courses for incarcerated men and women, an endeavor that she says is both challenging and rewarding. Read more in APS Physics…

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Dark Matter Could Cause Excess Optical Background

Posted on November 30, 2022 by rberkowitz

Axions that decay into photons could account for visible light that exceeds what’s expected to come from all known galaxies. Continue reading →

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A Dense, Cold Gas of EuropiumAtoms

Posted on November 23, 2022 by rberkowitz

A Bose-Einstein condensate of europium atoms provides a new experimental platform for studying quantum spin interactions. Read more at APS Physics…

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First observations test JWST capabilities

Posted on November 17, 2022 by rberkowitz

Although the telescope’s early science results have exceeded expectations, even the most seasoned observers must use caution until calibrations are complete. Read more in Physics Today…

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