Nature physics: Proof-of-principle demonstration of muon production with an ultrashort high-intensity laser. Laser-driven electrons generate muons in lead via photo- and electro-production, enabling compact, high-flux muon sources for lab applications. nature.com/articles/s4156…

Cnr: Generated for the first time a THz frequency comb in a high-power optical cavity. Researchers achieve single-cycle THz pulse generation via optical rectification in a 93 MHz passive cavity, enabling scalable high-power output. cnr.it/en/news/13473

Optics:Water droplets offer route to versatile liquid lenses. Ateneo de Manila and Caraga State University developed a simple, water-based static droplet lens with adjustable focus, offering a new approach to dynamic optical components. optics.org/news/16/4/45

HEPS:Brighter together: China-Spain Alliance to Advance Synchrotron Light Innovation. China and Spain signed an agreement to advance fourth-gen synchrotron light sources, promoting joint research between HEPS (Beijing) and ALBA (Barcelona). english.ihep.cas.cn/heps/nae/nh/20…

PRA:Measurement and feedforward correction of the fast phase noise of lasers. A fully fiberized fast phase-noise eater detects and suppresses sub-microsecond laser fluctuations, boosting quantum gate fidelity in atomic and molecular systems. journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/1…

HPL:2023 High Power Laser Science and Engineering Editor-in-Chief Choice Award. The award-winning article highlights the integration of laser–plasma physics and data science, showcasing machine learning applications in both experiments and simulations. cambridge.org/core/journals/…

Nature Communications:Observation of sub-relativistic collisionless shock generation and breakout dynamics. A compact femtosecond laser generates sub-relativistic shocks via Weibel instability, enabling lab studies of cosmic shocks. nature.com/articles/s4146…

LOA:TIBETAN-FOX measures femtosecond XUV pulses. LOA and LCPMR researchers developed T-FOX, a simple method for reconstructing femto- to picosecond XUV pulses via IR–XUV cross-correlation. loa.ensta-paris.fr/2025/04/29/tib…

HPL: Pointing Stabilization of a 1Hz High Power Laser via Machine Learning. Machine learning–based predictive control stabilizes low-repetition high-power laser pointing in real time, ensuring precision for plasma acceleration and Petawatt-class systems. cambridge.org/core/journals/…

HEPS: HEPS Successfully Held the 6th Asian Accelerator Superconducting Cryogenic School. HEPS hosted the 6th ASSCA, offering intensive training in superconducting and cryogenic technologies to 58 young researchers from across Asia. ihep.cas.cn/dkxzz/HEPS/xwd…

Phys.org:The US has a new most-powerful laser. The ZEUS laser at University of Michigan begins first 2-PW experiment, marking a milestone for U.S. high-field science and enabling broad applications. phys.org/news/2025-05-p…

PRR:Continuous high-yield fast neutron generation with few-cycle laser pulses at 10 Hz for applications. A laser neutron source yields 1.8 × 10⁵ neutrons/s with record efficiency, using 12fs, 23mJ pulses on heavy water to drive 2H(d,n)³He reactions. journals.aps.org/prresearch/abs…

Nature:The structure of liquid carbon elucidated by in situ X-ray diffraction. X-ray laser diffraction reveals liquid carbon’s structure at ~1 million atmospheres with transient bonding and ~fourfold coordination, matching simulations. nature.com/articles/s4158…

NIF:Fusion breakthrough: NIF achieves 8.6 megajoules, shattering previous record. The National Ignition Facility achieved 8.6 MJ fusion yields—nearly tripling its 2022 record—marking progress in controlled nuclear fusion. techspot.com/news/107971-fu…

PRR: Stable high-energy proton acceleration with water-leaf targets driven by intense laser pulses. Researchers used 27 fs, 300 TW laser pulses on a water-leaf target to stably generate 30 MeV protons with >10⁹ protons MeV⁻¹ msr⁻¹. journals.aps.org/prresearch/abs…

CLF:UK’s laser facility achieves first light with £17 million project. HiLUX achieved first light on its Ultra infrared laser, enabling secondary sources to probe ultrafast, nanoscale phenomena; the Artemis XUV system launches later this year. clf.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Major-Hi…

PRL:Intense X-Ray Vortices Generation via Wavefront Shaping in High-Gain Free-Electron Lasers. Researchers demonstrate x-ray vortex generation in high-gain FELs via wavefront tilt, enabling broad tunability and simple implementation. journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/1…

NIF:LLNL Hosts Workshop to Shape the Future of Diode-Pumped Laser Technology. LLNL hosted the HEC-DPSSL workshop to advance DPSSL technology for inertial fusion energy, uniting 75 global experts to discuss key concepts and challenges. lasers.llnl.gov/news/llnl-host…

OL:Compact 500 nm ultra-broadband seed laser for WNOPCPA prototype facility. Researchers develop a 500 nm ultra-broadband seed laser (700–1200 nm) for a petawatt prototype using WNOPCPA, based on a subpicosecond Yb:YAG laser. opg.optica.org/ol/abstract.cf…

Optics:LMU Munich develops ultrathin components that capture light better. Researchers develop ultrathin optical components from atomically layered systems, enabling stronger light interaction and more compact, efficient photonic devices. optics.org/news/16/5/45