In recent years, scientists from around the world have been working to miniaturize laser radiation devices, reducing their size to a point where they can be integrated into integrated circuits and ultra-small devices.
In this context, researchers in Russia have developed the world’s smallest laser capable of emitting radiation in the blue range of the spectrum, i.e., between 400 and 500 nanometers, and with a size close to viral particles, opening up new horizons for biomedical imaging technologies and optical data storage.
The public relations service of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology reported that this achievement is attracting considerable attention, given the potential use of the "nanolaser" as an ultra-small light radiation source, which can be employed in optical computing on a chip, as well as potential applications in artificial intelligence systems.
A team of Russian physicists, led by Professor Sergei Makarov from the University of Optics and Micromechanics in St. Petersburg, explained that miniaturizing lasers faces significant challenges due to the laws of physics, as reducing their size to the nanoscale usually leads to a sharp decrease in their efficiency.
Scientists have successfully overcome part of this problem by using cubic perovskite nanocrystals, which possess properties suitable for use as an efficient laser medium. Crystals with dimensions ranging from 150 to 190 nanometers were fabricated and then mounted on a silver substrate, enhancing radiation generation.
Experiments have shown that this nanostructure generates lasers in an unconventional way based on the phenomenon of "polaritons" within the crystal, which allows for a reduction in the energy required for operation compared to conventional lasers.
However, this technology currently only works at extremely low temperatures, around -193 degrees Celsius, which limits its practical applications at present. Researchers hope that future studies will overcome this limitation, potentially enabling the integration of blue nanolasers into advanced electronics and future optical devices.
