Nano laser is a key component necessary for practical application

[junglebeast]

Apparently the nano laser is a key component necessary for practical application of optical computers.

"Conventional lasers are limited in how small they can be made because this feedback component for photons, called an optical resonator, must be at least half the size of the wavelength of laser light.

The researchers, however, have overcome this hurdle by using not photons but surface plasmons, which enabled them to create a resonator 44 nanometers in diameter, or less than one-tenth the size of the 530-nanometer wavelength emitted by the spaser."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090816171003.htm

So what's the deal with surface plasmons...aren't they still an EM wave that is made of photons?

 

[Navin A S]

Yes, surface plasmons are still an electromagnetic wave that is made up of photons. However, unlike conventional lasers where the photons are confined in an optical resonator, surface plasmons are confined to the surface of a metal at the nanoscale level, allowing for much smaller optical resonators and thus enabling the use of nano-laser technology. This is what makes nano-lasers so useful for optical computing, as they can be used to create extremely small and powerful components for computers.

 

[oswaler]

The use of surface plasmons in the nano laser is a significant breakthrough in the field of optical computing. While conventional lasers have limitations in size due to the size of their feedback component, the use of surface plasmons allows for a much smaller resonator size, making it a key component for practical application. Surface plasmons are a type of electromagnetic wave that are formed at the interface between a metal and a dielectric material. They have unique properties that allow for the creation of a smaller resonator, making them ideal for use in nano lasers. This advancement opens up possibilities for the development of even smaller and more efficient optical computers, further pushing the boundaries of technology.