Researchers at Princeton University in America have discovered an entirely new way to generate laser light.
The new lasers were found after scientists working with a quantum cascade laser noticed an unexpected beam – and one that needed less power than a conventional laser beam.
Quantum cascade lasers are much smaller than the solid-state lasers found in DVD players. These nanotechnology devices are a tenth as thick as a human hair and 3 millimeters long.
Atomic lasers
Despite their tiny size, quantum cascade lasers are made of hundreds of layers of different semiconductor materials, each one just a few atoms thick.
The new type of laser is less sensitive to temperature changes and seems to run well at lower currents, characteristics that make it suitable for the next generation of medical devices and industrial sensors.
Kale Franz, the researcher who discovered the laser, said "It should let us dramatically improve laser performance." If only they could do the same for Keira Knightley...
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ablebobby
December 23rd 2008
3. This comment has been deleted
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jason3421
December 23rd 2008
2. Seriously. anonymous, that's just a tad pathetic. It's an interesting write up and if something like a little offbeat humorous jab at Keira Knightly can ruin the whole thing for you maybe you need to reevaluate your mental stability =)
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anonymous1213
December 23rd 2008
1. good article except at the end. I understand the jab at Keira Knightly is an attempt at humor, but I wouldn't expect to see something like that in a tech news article. this isn't Perez Hilton this is Techradar.
That single line makes it hard for me to take this website seriously.
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