A new nanolaser could allow future computer chips to communicate with light, potentially doubling speed and cutting energy use by half. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) developed the ultra-small laser. This breakthrough could make computers, smartphones, and data centers faster and more energy efficient.
Thousands of these lasers could integrate onto a single microchip. This would allow devices to transmit data using photons, which are particles of light, instead of electrical signals. Current computers use electricity to move information, which generates heat and limits data transfer speed.
Using light within computer chips could reduce energy consumption by as much as 50%. The compact DTU nanolaser is a significant step toward this goal. Future chips designed for light-based communication would require many small, efficient lasers to transmit information across the chip.
The nanolaser was created at DTU Nanolab. Its design pushes the conventional limits for laser size. The device uses a nanocavity, a structure that traps and concentrates light in a tiny space. This intense confinement was previously considered difficult to achieve.
When light shines on the device, photons and electrons concentrate in the same microscopic region. This interaction allows the laser to operate at room temperature with low energy requirements. The light-trapping structure was developed by Professor Ole Sigmund’s group at DTU Construct.
The next step is to make the nanolaser operate using electrical power. If successful, this technology could have broad applications. These include computing, communications, and healthcare, potentially within five to ten years.