Superabsorbing rings could lead to better cameras and solar cells

Rings of excited atoms that harness a quantum effect to absorb light at an enhanced rate could be used in future technologies such as highly sensitive cameras, solar cells and systems for optical power transmission. That is the claim of researchers in Australia, Singapore and the UK, who have done calculations that show that the well-known quantum phenomenon of superradiance could be used to create a new type of optical absorber.