Nanocavity plasmonic device for ultrabroadband single molecule sensing.

We present a new structure that combines a metal-dielectric-metal sandwich with a periodic structure to form a plasmon polariton photonic crystal. Three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations show a clear bandgap in the terahertz regime. We exploited this property by adding a defect to the crystal, which produces a cavity with a quality factor of 23.

Wingbeat frequency of barn swallows and house martins: a comparison between free flight and wind tunnel experiments.

The flight paths and wingbeat patterns of 39 barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) and 26 house martins (Delichon urbica) were recorded by tracking radar during the spring migration. Depending mostly on flight angle, hirundines performed anything from continuous flapping flight during climbing to single pulse-like wing beats during descent. Unlike most other passerines, hirundines rarely showed regular flapping and rest phases, allowing them to be distinguished from other bird migrants by radar echo signatures.