Tiny nanolaser could cut computer energy use in half

Scientists have created an ultra-small nanolaser that could eventually allow microchips to transmit information with light instead of electricity, potentially making computers faster while cutting energy use roughly in half. Thousands of the lasers could fit on a single chip, opening possibilities for more efficient data centers, smartphones, and advanced medical sensors. Tiny nanolaser could cut computer energy use in half.

Tiny nanolaser could cut computer energy use in half Science News from research organizations Tiny nanolaser could cut computer energy use in half A breakthrough nanolaser could let future computer chips communicate with light, potentially doubling down on speed while cutting energy use in half. By using light instead of electrical signals on microchips, data speed can be increased and energy loss reduced. Researchers at DTU have created a tiny nanolaser that could eventually help make computers, smartphones, and data centers faster while using much less energy.

The breakthrough was published in the scientific journal Science Advances. In the future, thousands of these lasers could potentially be integrated onto a single microchip. Instead of moving information around a chip with electrical signals, devices could transmit data using photons, the particles that make up light.

"The nanolaser opens up the possibility of creating a new generation of components that combine high performance with minimal size.