World's smallest laser unveiled (spaser)

Nature ^ | Aug 16, 2009 | Matthew Chalmers

[decimon]

The world's smallest laser, contained in a silica sphere just 44 nanometres across, has been unveiled. At about 10 times smaller than the wavelength of light, however, this is no ordinary laser, it is the first ever 'spaser'.

Whereas a laser amplifies light, using a mirrored cavity to intensify it, a spaser amplifies surface plasmons — tiny oscillations in the density of free electrons on the surface of metals, which, in turn, produce light waves.

The spaser could be used as a light source for scanning near-field optical microscopes, which can resolve details beyond the reach of standard light microscopy, and in nanolithography, to etch patterns much smaller than the width of a human hair. The device also opens the door to nanoscale circuits that could process information thousands of times faster than the microelectronic chips inside today's computers.

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[theFIRMbss]

>The gold nanoparticles are encased in silica shells containing Oregon Green 488, an organic dye. Shining light on the nanoparticles excites or 'pumps' the dye molecules and they transfer energy to the surrounding electrons to produce surface plasmon oscillations. The electromagnetic waves that result from these oscillating electrical charges produce greenish laser light with a wavelength of 531 nanonmetres.

Oregon Green

"Oregon Green" sounds like stuff graduate students sell out on the quad...

[Crazieman]

I see this in microprocessors in conjunction with carbon nanotubes.

[Mmogamer]

By the time we get to the dates in scifi shows we will be far beyond what they showed as future tech heh.

[TChad]

Word for the day: nanoplasmonics.

So far, researchers have made plasmonic circuit elements that serve as wires, resistors and capacitors, but the spaser should enable the development of amplifiers and generators.

[JRios1968]

That's great...can we attach them to the heads of frickin' plankton?

[decimon]

Word for the day: nanoplasmonics.

I'm sure I can work that in somewhere.

[hawkeye101]

This nanolaser is pretty cool, but can it keep my cat entertained for hours?

I think the Nanites on "Mystery Science Theater 3000" have been using this laser for about 12 years now. :)

[Nachoman]

Cut to the chase, can we use them to kill people?

[decimon]

Cut to the chase, can we use them to kill people?

Slowly. Very slowly.

[martin_fierro]

[SunkenCiv]

the first ever 'spaser'. Whereas a laser amplifies light, using a mirrored cavity to intensify it, a spaser amplifies surface plasmons — tiny oscillations in the density of free electrons on the surface of metals, which, in turn, produce light waves. The spaser could be used as a light source for scanning near-field optical microscopes,

Oh hell, I built one of these at my high school science fair (my fusion generator had been confiscated by men in black) using items from the cafeteria lunch line. ;')

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Thanks decimon.

[decimon]

C’mon, we know what you used mirrors for in high school. ;-)

[bvw]

Isn’t this similar to a surface wave maser?

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel6%2F22%2F25114%2F01131482.pdf%3Farnumber%3D1131482&authDecision=-203

[decimon]

Isn’t this similar to a surface wave maser?

If the plasmon fits. IOW, I don't know.

[ErnBatavia]

Cut to the chase, can we use them to kill people?

I'm too lazy - and my computer's sickly - to go to the link, but I would hope that if this is an American advance this shit'd be kept secret.

[70times7]

That's great...can we attach them to the heads of frickin' plankton?

Why yes, as a matter of fact, we can.

[bvw]

I thought they were called phonons?

[theFIRMbss]

> can we use them to kill people?

Ah. In the future
the gray goo that kills us all
is Oregon Green.


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Bill Joy: Why The Future Doesn't Need Us

The Gray Goo Problem