Characterization of large-area thin films with atomic-scale resolution is challenging but in great demand for diverse applications (e.g., nanotechnology and sensing). Here, we use the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) method to characterize both the thickness and refractive index of chemical-vapor-deposition (CVD)-grown graphene films. The measured refractive index and extinction coefficient values of the CVD-grown graphene monolayer at 670 nm wavelength are 3.135 and 0.897, respectively. Our results demonstrate that SPR shifts generated by graphene films are large (i.e., $\sim 1°/\mathrm{nm}$), almost tenfold larger than that observed in SPR measurements of organic monolayers. We find that this significantly large SPR shift easily enables the thickness of a large area sample (i.e., $\sim {\mathrm{mm}}^2$) to be determined with subnanometer-scale resolution. We show that the SPR method can identify thickness of different graphene layers and give an estimate of $\sim 0.37\mathrm{nm}$ for the thickness of the CVD-grown graphene layer, which agrees extremely well with the 0.335 nm reported for layer-to-layer carbon atom distance of graphite crystals. Our results open the avenue to fast and cost-effective simultaneous characterization of various parameters (including thickness and optical constants) of thin films at the atomic-scale resolution. The presented characterization method can be applied both to physical characterizations of various two-dimensional layered materials as well as to the use of these layered materials for biosensing applications as shown earlier, due to the favorable properties of graphene plasmons.

All-optical nanoscale logic components are highly desired for various applications because light may enable logic functions to be performed extremely quickly without the generation of heat and cross-talk. All-optical computing at nanoscale is therefore a promising alternative but requires the development of a complete toolbox capable of various logic functionalities. We demonstrate nanoscale all-optical switches by exploiting the polarization-dependent light emission property of crossbar InP and AlGaAs nanowire networks. These networks can perform various logic operations, such as AND, OR, NAND, and NOR binary logic functions. Furthermore, on the basis of these logic operations, our networks successfully enable all-optical arithmetic binary calculations, such as n-bit addition, to be conducted. Our results underscore the promise of assembled semiconductor nanowire networks as a building block of on-chip all-optical logic components for future nanophotonics.

Extreme events have become more frequent in the Northern Hemisphere mid‐latitudes in recent decades, hugely impacting the ecosystem and society. The quasi‐resonance amplification (QRA) of planetary waves is considered one of the dynamic mechanisms leading to extreme weather. However, the specific impact of resonant waves caused by QRA on surface heat extremes is still an open issue. Here we show that the QRA of planetary waves leading to heat extremes is closely related to double jets, accompanied by the enhancement of atmospheric blocking and the weakening of planetary wave escaping into the stratosphere. Our results illustrate the important role of mid‐latitude planetary waves with zonal wavenumber m = 6–8 caused by QRA in the increasingly frequent heat waves in recent years, as it can increase the coverage area and occurrence frequency of heat extremes in mid‐latitudes and show a significant impact on preferred regions, especially in Eurasia.

In this review, the concept of the aviation and aerospace transition zone (AATZ), that is, the area between the highest altitude of aviation vehicles and the lowest altitude of space vehicles, is introduced. It is 50–150 km away from the Earth’s surface, and the coupling between the AATZ and its upper and lower atmosphere causes complex and unique physical and chemical processes. As a transition zone between space weather and Earth weather, the AATZ has great scientific research value and broad application prospects. Focusing on the dynamics, chemistry, and modeling studies of the atmosphere in this region, we comprehensively analyze and discuss the current research status, current challenges, and future prospects of this region. The propagation, dissipation, and momentum deposition of the atmospheric wave force change the surrounding wind field and temperature structure, forming complex dynamical processes. The mutation enhancement and redistribution of metal atoms and metal ions, as well as the occurrence of airglow, directly or indirectly show the changes in composition and energy transfer caused by complex chemical processes. The modeling studies of the above phenomena are conducive to the deepening of understanding, and the defects of the simulation also reflect the lack of observation on understanding. The discussion in this review encourages more research on the AATZ as well as the development and enrichment of existing observational tools and techniques to fill in the knowledge gaps and enhance the ability to apply the region in the aerospace industry.

Using a set of near space high-resolution balloon data released in Hami, Xinjiang, we explored the spectral characteristics of temperature fluctuations and three-dimensional wind field fluctuations. As different from previous studies, which were based on radiosondes, we have increased the height range of spectral analysis to the stratosphere (38 km), which can explore the variation of spectral features with altitude, and can analyze higher wavenumber regions. The results show that horizontal wind field disturbances are isotropic, meridional and zonal winds have relatively consistent spectral structures, while vertical wind fluctuations have completely different spectral structures, which cannot be explained by the existing “universal spectrum” theory. The observed spectrum of horizontal wind field can be explained well by the “wind-shifting” theory. The ratio of spectral kinetic energy to potential energy is approximately constant only in the high wavenumber region but it varies at different height intervals. This study is a necessary extension of the observation for the characteristics of the vertical wavenumber spectrum in northwestern China, and it is also an experimental observation of spectral characteristics using radiosonde data at higher altitudes.