28 July 2012 Current Affairs

28 July 2012 Current Affairs

World’s smallest semiconductor laser created

Physics graduate student Charlotte Sanders' research with professor Ken Shih helped develop the world's smallest nanolaser. She stands here with a molecular beam epitaxy machine that she designed and built in collaboration with the Department of Physics Machine Shop and with assistance from co-author Dr. Jisun Kim. The machine is used to create a smooth silver thin film critical to the function of the laser. (Credit: Alex Wang)

Scientists have developed the world’s smallest semiconductor laser, a breakthrough that they say will lead to the development of faster, smaller and lower energy photon-based technologies for treating and studying diseases. Physicists at The University of Texas in collaboration with colleagues in Taiwan and China, have developed the world’s smallest semiconductor laser, a technology for emerging photonic technology with applications from computing to medicine, according to a report published in the journal ‘Science’. The device is constructed of a gallium nitride nano rod that is partially filled with indium gallium nitride. Both alloys are semiconductors used commonly in LEDs.The nano laser is too small to be visible to the naked eye and when fired, it emits a green light.

Physics graduate student Charlotte Sanders' research with professor Ken Shih helped develop the world's smallest nanolaser. She stands here with a molecular beam epitaxy machine that she designed and built in collaboration with the Department of Physics Machine Shop and with assistance from co-author Dr. Jisun Kim. The machine is used to create a smooth silver thin film critical to the function of the laser. (Credit: Alex Wang)

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Siling Shots Down First Gold

China’s world number one Yi Siling won the first gold of the London Olympics in the women’s 10 air rifle competition at ‘London’s Royal Artilley Barracks on 28 July 2012.Gold medalist Yi Siling of China celebrates during the victory ceremony of the Women's 10m Air Rifle competition of the London 2012 Olympic Games in London, Britain, on July 28, 2012. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)