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Breakthrough could lead to new defense, communication
systems
Silicon Laser
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency: $1.5M
Researchers in UCLA’s Henry Samueli School
of Engineering and Applied Science have demonstrated the first
silicon laser,
which could lead to more effective biochemical detection, secure
communications and defense systems. The demonstration of such a
device heralds a major breakthrough because it was thought that
creating a laser on a silicon chip was impossible. Researchers
say the door is now open to developing new military applications
in communications and sensing, as well as making optical wireless
technology a reality.
Taking advantage of an effect used for light generation
in optical fibers, researchers were able to use the natural atomic
vibrations
of silicon to create or amplify
light. Silicon crystals have a more well-ordered atomic structure
than glass fibers, creating a light-generating effect that is
10,000 times stronger than
in glass. This breakthrough at UCLA, coupled with work by researchers
at Intel and Harvard, could significantly improve computer-processing
speeds.
Silicon lasers could enable the integration of optical and electronic
elements on the same chip, and would be relatively inexpensive
to produce. They can also enable optical wireless communications
at wavelengths optimized for transmission through air or even
fog, for detection of chemicals and biological molecules, and
for defense systems against heat-seeking missiles.
 UCLA
Scientists Demonstrate First Silicon Laser (UCLA Engineer,
Spring 2005)
Press
release
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