Science / Medicine : Microscopic Laser Developed

Researchers last week announced the development of what they believe is the world’s smallest surface-emitting laser, a microscopic device that is expected to improve the efficiency of high-speed fiber optic communications and communication between computer chips.

Researchers from Bellcore and AT&T; Bell Laboratories have been able to pack 2 million of the lasers, approximately 1/10th the thickness of a human hair, into an area the size of a fingernail, the companies said, and expect to eventually increase the density tenfold.

“Normally, light comes out of a laser at the edge of a chip,” according to Bellcore researcher Axel Scherer, “but in these lasers the light beam is emitted from the surface, sending light upwards.”

The new laser is expected to be used to send light impulses simultaneously into a large number of thin glass fibers used for high-speed communications and for transmitting information between computer chips. Future applications may also include small, low-power opto-electronic devices that could be printed like integrated circuits.