Threshold broken for tiny lasers (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Scientists have shown off the smallest-ever laser that works at the colours of light used in telecommunications and at room temperature.

The tiny light sources switch on with no "threshold", meaning they operate much more efficiently than earlier, small laser attempts.

They are just one-fifteenth the size of the light waves that they produce.

The advance, described in Nature, may help bring about faster computers or in future "optical computing" approaches.

Lasers are ubiquitous in daily life, from supermarket checkouts to CD players, but the quest for a smaller laser has been underway for years.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16925088

[Joe Shlabotnik]

1. bring on the frickin' tiny sharks! n/t