Optical amplifier design paves the way for power-on-a-chip applications

Nanowerk News (Aug. 26) -- By combining plasmonics and optical microresonators, researchers at Illinois have created a new optical amplifier (or laser) design, paving the way for power-on-a-chip applications. “We have made optical systems at the microscopic scale that amplify light and produce ultra-narrowband spectral output,” explained ECE professor J. Gary Eden, leader of the research team. “Their potential applications in medicine are exciting because the amplifiers are actuated (‘pumped’) by light that is able to pass through human skin. For this reason, these microsphere-based amplifiers are able to transmit signals from cells and buried biomedical sensors to electrical and optical networks outside the body.” Also: ScienceCodex (Aug. 26), R&D Magazine (Aug. 26), ScienceBlog (Aug. 26), ENC Magazine (Aug. 26), Science Daily (Aug. 26), Bio-Medicine (Aug. 26), Science Newsline/Technology (Aug. 26), Laser Focus World (Aug. 26), Engineering.com (Aug. 26), Laboratory Equipment (Aug. 27), Photonics (Aug. 27).