Researchers at the University of California San Diego have demonstrated the world’s first laser based on an unconventional wave physics phenomenon called bound states in the continuum. The technology could revolutionize the development of surface lasers, making them more compact and energy-efficient for communications and computing applications.
The new BIC lasers could also be developed as high-power lasers for industrial and defense applications.
“Lasers are ubiquitous in the present day world, from simple everyday laser pointers to complex laser interferometers used to detect gravitational waves. Our current research will impact many areas of laser applications,” said Ashok Kodigala, an electrical engineering Ph.D. student at UC San Diego and first author of the study.
“Because they are unconventional, BIC lasers offer unique and unprecedented properties that haven’t yet been realized with existing laser technologies,” said Boubacar Kanté, electrical engineering professor at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering who led the research.
For example, BIC lasers can be readily tuned to emit beams of different wavelengths, a useful feature for medical lasers made to precisely target cancer cells without damaging normal tissue. BIC lasers can also be made to emit beams with specially engineered shapes (spiral, donut or bell curve) — called vector beams — which could enable increasingly powerful computers and optical communication systems that can carry up to 10 times more information than existing ones.
“Light sources are key components of optical data communications technology in cell phones, computers and astronomy, for example. In this work, we present a new kind of light source that is more efficient than what’s available today in terms of power consumption and speed,” said Babak Bahari, an electrical engineering Ph.D. student in Kanté’s lab and a co-author of the study.
Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are phenomena that have been predicted to exist since 1929. BICs are waves that remain perfectly confined, or bound, in an open system. Conventional waves in an open system escape, but BICs defy this norm — they stay localized and do not escape despite having open pathways to do so.
In a previous study, Kanté and his team demonstrated, at microwave frequencies, that BICs could be used to efficiently trap and store light to enable strong light-matter interaction. Now, they’re harnessing BICs to demonstrate new types of lasers. The team published the work Jan. 12 in Nature.
Learn more: New Laser Based on Unusual Physics Phenomenon Could Improve Telecommunications, Computing and More
[osd_subscribe categories=’laser’ placeholder=’Email Address’ button_text=’Subscribe Now for any new posts on the topic “LASER”‘]
Receive an email update when we add a new LASER article.
The Latest on: BIC lasers
[google_news title=”” keyword=”BIC lasers” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: BIC lasers
- PHOTOS: Keane raise the roof at the BIC with much-loved songson May 9, 2024 at 12:22 am
The resurgence could partly be due to debut single Somewhere Only We Know, which has turned into a TikTok phenomenon notching up millions of plays. Keane share a space alongside Coldplay and Snow ...
- The 11 best bikini hair removal products in 2024, tested and reviewedon May 2, 2024 at 12:35 pm
Best laser: Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X - See ... Best disposable razor: BIC Soleil Escape - See at Amazon If you're looking for an affordable bikini hair removal tool that won't break ...
- bic cristalon April 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Look around you. Chances are, there’s a BiC Cristal ballpoint pen among your odds and ends. Since 1950, it has far outsold the Rubik’s Cube and even the iPhone, and yet, it’s one of the most ...
- Chinese scientists want to use lasers to power ultrafast, stealthy submarines. A laser expert says there's a major flaw in their plan.on April 28, 2024 at 3:28 am
Rather than relying on nuclear or battery power, the scientists say they have found a way to use lasers to propel submarines — known as underwater laser propulsion. Theoretically, submarines ...
- Lasers reveal prehistoric Irish monuments that may have been 'pathways for the dead'on April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Lasers have revealed hundreds of previously undetected prehistoric monuments, including five rare ones, clustered in a swath of farmland in the Irish countryside. Archaeologists discovered the ...
- BIC: First Quarter 2024 Resultson April 23, 2024 at 8:42 am
Human Expression: Net Sales of €174 million, up by +3.9% at constant currency excl. Argentina, with strong performance in Europe, Mexico and North America, Flame for Life: Net Sales of €207 ...
- 4 of the Best Home Laser Hair Removal Devices by Hair Color, Coarseness, and Moreon April 17, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Here’s our process. You used to have to visit a dermatologist for laser hair removal, and this is still the most effective route, but you can consider home laser hair removal devices instead.
- What types of laser eye surgery are available for glaucoma?on April 16, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Laser eye surgeries can help treat glaucoma by improving the outflow of fluid in the eye. Types of surgeries include trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, and cyclophotocoagulation. Doctors may suggest a ...
- Best laser engravers of 2024on April 15, 2024 at 2:24 am
Looking for the best laser engravers? We went hands-on with some of the top models to find out which ones are a cut above the rest. Like the best 3D printers we tested, laser engraving machines ...
via Bing News