A fleeting photoinduced electronic state and the subsequent formation of a photoinduced hidden state in a metal–organic framework were captured in just 30 femtoseconds by researchers at Science Tokyo, Tohoku University, and Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan. By combining ultrafast laser spectroscopy with theoretical analysis, the researchers found that a transient electronic state plays a key role in this process. The findings provide new insights into controlling material properties with light for future applications.

Quasi-zero stiffness (QZS) isolators address the limitations of conventional linear vibration isolators, capable of supporting both static payloads and low-frequency vibration isolation. However, they cannot adapt to payload variations and pose risks for chaotic behavior. In a new study, researchers develop a novel hybrid active control strategy, employing actuators to actively modulate the system’s equilibrium point based on payload variations. This system also eliminates the residual resonant peak, preventing chaotic behavior.

Laser cutting is widely used in the manufacture of semiconductor chips and other precision electronic parts, as it can shape and cut materials without damaging the parts. However, laser cutting requires precision, and measuring the depth of the laser’s penetration during cutting remains challenging. Now, researchers from Chiba University have developed a simple yet effective monitoring technique that uses recoil forces to detect the processing depth and penetration of the laser in real time.