SAN FRANCISCO—Physicists at the University of Texas-Austin say they have developed the world's smallest semiconductor laser in collaboration with colleagues in Taiwan and China.
The researchers say the development is a breakthrough for emerging photonic technology with applications from computing to medicine.
"We have developed a nanolaser device that operates well below the 3-D diffraction limit," said Chih-Kang "Ken" Shih, professor of physics at the University
of Texas, in a statement. "We believe our research could have a large impact on nanoscale technologies."
Shih and his colleagues reported in this week's issue of the journal Science the first operation of a continuous-wave, low-threshold laser below the 3-D diffraction limit. When fired, the nanolaser emits a green light. The laser is too small to be visible to the naked eye.
Researchers say miniaturization of semiconductor lasers is key for the development of faster, smaller and lower energy photon-based technologies, such as ultrafast computer chips; highly sensitive biosensors for detecting, treating and studying disease; and next-generation communication technologies. Such photonic devices could use nanolasers to generate optical signals and transmit information, and have the potential to replace electronic circuits. But the size and performance of photonic devices have been restricted by what's known as the three-dimensional optical diffraction limit, the researchers say.
Physics graduate student Charlotte Sanders' research with Professor Ken Shih helped develop the world's smallest nanolaser.Photo: Alex Wang, University of Texas-Austin
