U.S.-China Cooperation Develops World's Smallest Semiconductor Laser Launcher

Physicists at Texas State University collaborated with their counterparts in China to develop the world's smallest semiconductor laser emitter. "Science" magazine will publish their research results.

The illustration shows the structure of an ultra-low threshold nano emitter. The individual nanorods were placed on a thin silver layer about 28 nm thick. A 5 nm thick silicon dioxide insulating layer sandwiched between a nanorod and a silver film can generate a resonant electromagnetic field.

Researchers have described that the key to developing faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient photonic emitters is to miniaturize semiconductor lasers. This technology can be applied to various fields such as supercomputer chips, high-sensitivity biosensors, treatment and research of diseases, and research and development of next-generation communication technologies.

Conventional optoelectronic devices use nanotransmitters to generate optical signals to convey information, and they have the potential to replace traditional electronic circuits. However, the size and performance of optoelectronic devices are limited by the “three-dimensional optical diffraction limit”.

However, Professor Chih-Kang “Ken” Shih from the Department of Physics at Texas State University led his team to a breakthrough. “We have developed a nano laser transmitter that can operate well below the three-dimensional diffraction limit,” he said. “We believe this outcome will have a huge impact on nanotechnology.” Prof. Shih and colleagues in a recently published article. For the first time, continuous waves below the three-dimensional diffraction limit are reported. When it is launched, the nano-laser emits green light, and the extremely fine laser has reached a level that is hard to discern.

This new type of device is made of gallium nitride doped nanorods doped with indium gallium nitride. Both of these alloys are commonly used in LED lamps. Inside the emitter, the nanorods are placed on a thin layer of insulating silicon, and the other side of the silicon layer is a layer of atomically smooth silver.

Professor Shih's laboratory spent 15 years refining this material. "Smooth to atomic level" is the key to ensure that the emitted light is not dispersed and the plasmon polariton does not escape. The so-called plasmon polaritons are electron waves that can carry a large amount of information. "Atomically smooth excitonic structure is the hero of reducing data loss," Professor Shih said.

The launch of nano laser emitters will undoubtedly promote the development of chip communications. In chip communications, all information is contained on the chip. With the new transmitter, the heat generation of electronic components can be eliminated. In addition, data loss can be avoided when transferring information between chips.

Prof. Guo Shangzhi of Tsinghua University in Taiwan pointed out: “The mismatch between electron and photon size was a huge obstacle to chip computing and optoelectronics communication.” Professor Guo was a doctoral student of Professor Shih. Professor Gennady Shvets from the Physics Department at Texas State University and Professor Chen Lijun from Tsinghua University in Taiwan also participated in the study.

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