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New device design could miniaturize photonics, quantum technologies

Researchers create powerful optical device with layered semiconductor and metasurface, enhancing nonlinear frequency conversion and enabling efficient light mixing and transformation. The device has potential applications in telecommunications, quantum communication, and photonic quantum computing.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

World's first practical surface-emitting laser for optical fiber communications developed: advancing miniaturization, energy efficiency, and cost reduction of light sources

Researchers developed world's first practical surface-emitting laser using quantum dots, advancing miniaturization and energy efficiency of light sources. The innovation enables high-performance, scalable structures and cost reductions through mass production.

SourceNational Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)·JournalOptics Express·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2025

IEEE researchers provide mathematical solutions to study 2D light interaction in photonic crystal lasers

Researchers derived 2D coupled wave equations for photonic crystal surfaces, aiding the development of efficient laser devices. The findings established parallels between TM and transverse electric polarisation behaviours, offering unique advantages in certain configurations.

SourceInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers·JournalIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 11, 2025

Record-breaking laser pulses

Researchers at ETH Zurich have set a new record for the strongest laser pulses, surpassing previous records by over 50%, using a special arrangement of mirrors and a semiconductor mirror. The pulses can be used to create high harmonic frequencies up to X-rays, enabling fast processes in the attosecond range.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalOptica·DateOct 11, 2024

A new advancement in photonic chips set to unlock an industry

Researchers have developed a new engineering approach to on-chip light sources, enabling the widespread adoption of photonic chips in consumer electronics. The innovation involves growing high-quality multi-quantum well nanowires using a novel facet engineering approach, which enables precise control over the diameter and length of the...

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2024

Surface emitting semiconductor laser achieves efficiency breakthrough

Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in surface-emitting semiconductor laser efficiency using multi-junction cascaded active area technology. The new design strategy increases gain volume, enhancing differential quantum efficiency and maintaining lower threshold current.

Highly efficient GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

GaN-based VCSELs have potential applications in adaptive headlights, retinal scanning displays, and high-speed visible light communication systems due to their high efficiency and low fabrication cost. The new method for precise cavity length control enables highly controlled fabrication of VCSELs with aperture sizes ranging from 5 to ...

SourceMeijo University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2024

Advancing biomedical diagnostics: Compact photoacoustic sensing instrument for breast tissue characterization

Researchers developed a compact, cost-effective PA sensing instrument for biomedical tissue diagnosis, showcasing its potential to streamline sampling processes and improve diagnostic accuracy for breast disease. The instrument successfully differentiated various tissue types based on quantitative spectral parameters.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 13, 2024

Organic lasers have a bright future

Scientists at the University of St Andrews have developed an electrically driven organic semiconductor laser, overcoming a decades-long challenge. This breakthrough has significant implications for various industries, including communication, medicine, and manufacturing.

SourceUniversity of St. Andrews·JournalNature·TypeNews article·DateSep 27, 2023

PT-symmetric lasers beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations

Researchers have developed a novel electrically pumped edge-emitting laser chip with unprecedented performance, achieving single-mode output power levels of 400 mW at room temperature. The device uses PT-symmetry to suppress higher-order modes, maintaining beam quality comparable to narrow waveguide devices.

Lithography-free photonic chip offers speed and accuracy for artificial intelligence

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science have created a photonic device that provides programmable on-chip information processing without lithography. This breakthrough enables superior accuracy and flexibility for AI applications, overcoming limitations of traditional electronic systems.

New 3D live hologram technology to save lives in field hospitals

Researchers at ARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems have developed a miniaturized optical system that can be integrated on a chip, allowing for the creation of 3D holograms. This technology has the potential to replace current 2D imaging, enabling less invasive surgeries and better surgical outcomes.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems·JournalLaser & Photonics Review·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2022

Fast burst of infrared light opens a way for 3D processing inside semiconductor chips

Researchers from LP3 Laboratory developed a light-based technique for local material processing in three-dimensional space of semiconductor chips. They successfully fabricated embedded structures inside Si and GaAs materials, which cannot be 3D processed with conventional ultrafast lasers.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateNov 7, 2022

Researchers develop laser that could ‘reshape the landscape of integrated photonics’ with applications in LiDAR, atomic physics, AR/VR

A new type of integrated semiconductor laser has been developed using the Pockels effect, integrating a lithium-niobate-on-insulator platform. This technology enables fast reconfigurability and narrow spectral window, paving the way for applications in LiDAR remote sensing, microwave photonics, atomic physics, and AR/VR.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

Self-frequency-conversion nanowire lasers

Researchers have developed a new method to expand the wavelength range of nanowire lasers using the second-order nonlinear effect. By utilizing this effect, high-quality GaAs/In core/shell NWs can generate visible lasing peaks at 508 nm via self-frequency-conversion processes such as second-harmonic generation (SHG). The technology als...

Engineers pave way for next-gen deep ultraviolet lasers

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a high-quality crystal of aluminum nitride and created an optical cavity to trap emitted light, enabling the production of a deep-ultraviolet laser with exceptional precision. The breakthrough has significant implications for various applications, including sterilization, sensing, and ph...

SourceCornell University·JournalAIP Advances·DateApr 4, 2022

Ultra-thin crystals as light sources in lasers

Researchers have successfully demonstrated laser emission from ultra-thin crystals consisting of three atomic layers, a breakthrough that could lead to miniaturized circuits and future quantum applications. The discovery showcases the potential of these materials as a platform for new nanolasers capable of operating at room temperature.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2021

Lung model proves viability of spectroscopy technique

A lung model mimicking complex anatomy has enabled the assessment of respiratory volumes using a gas-in-scattering-media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS) technique. The study demonstrates the feasibility of GASMAS to sense changes in gas volume in a controlled environment, paving the way for potential clinical applications.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2021

Nanostructure based lasers for information and communication technologies

Laser technology utilizing nanostructures like quantum dots and dashes enables high-speed data transmission and low-latency communications. Scientists highlight the importance of these devices for industry and society, particularly in applications such as coherent communication and quantum key distribution.

Breaking the power and speed limit of lasers

A novel vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser design has been developed, combining multiple transverse coupled cavities to enhance optical feedback. This innovation extends the temporal bandwidth of VCSELs, enabling a modulation bandwidth of up to 100 GHz, beyond the known limit of relaxation oscillation frequency.

SourceGeorge Washington University·JournalNanophotonics·DateNov 19, 2020

Order from chaos

Researchers from Kyoto University have created a beam-scanning device using photonic crystals, eliminating the need for moving parts. The technology enables high-power, high-beam-quality two-dimensional beam scanning lasers with improved resolution and accuracy.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2020

A breakthrough in developing multi-watt terahertz lasers

Researchers at Lehigh University developed a new phase-locking technique to achieve record-high output power for terahertz lasers, resulting in the highest radiative efficiency for any single-wavelength semiconductor quantum cascade laser. The breakthrough enables higher intensity and brightness, paving the way for applications in iden...

SourceLehigh University·JournalOptica·DateJun 11, 2020