Nanolaser
Encyclopedia
A Nanolaser, also referred to as a miniature laser or plasmonic laser, is a laser
, namely a light amplifier by stimulated emission of radiation
, that has nanoscale dimensions. While the word nano
originates from Greek (=dwarf), the international system of units
has adapted the prefix as a quantifier equal to 10−9. The nanolaser concept was developed by Mark Stockman at Georgia State University
in 2003.
This tiny laser can be modulated quickly and, combined with its small footprint
, makes it an ideal candidate for on-chip optical computing. The intense optical fields of such a nanolaser also enables the enhancement effect in non-linear optics or surface-enhanced-raman-scattering (SERS
), and therefore paves way towards integrated nanophotonic circuitry.
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
, namely a light amplifier by stimulated emission of radiation
Radiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
, that has nanoscale dimensions. While the word nano
Nano
Nano- is a prefix meaning a billionth. Used primarily in the metric system, this prefix denotes a factor of 10−9 or . It is frequently encountered in science and electronics for prefixing units of time and length, such as 30 nanoseconds , 100 nanometres or in the case of electrical capacitance,...
originates from Greek (=dwarf), the international system of units
International System of Units
The International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system and is generally a system of units of measurement devised around seven base units and the convenience of the number ten. The older metric system included several groups of units...
has adapted the prefix as a quantifier equal to 10−9. The nanolaser concept was developed by Mark Stockman at Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
in 2003.
This tiny laser can be modulated quickly and, combined with its small footprint
Footprint
Footprints are the impressions or images left behind by a person walking. Hoofprints and pawprints are those left by animals with hooves or paws rather than feet, while "shoeprints" is the specific term for prints made by shoes...
, makes it an ideal candidate for on-chip optical computing. The intense optical fields of such a nanolaser also enables the enhancement effect in non-linear optics or surface-enhanced-raman-scattering (SERS
Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy or surface enhanced Raman scattering is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces...
), and therefore paves way towards integrated nanophotonic circuitry.