Intel shows first all-silicon laser

摘要

Scientists at Intel have made the first all-silicon laser chip. The breakthrough could lead to the development of silicon chips that could be used in both electronic and photonics applications (Nature 433 292). Silicon dominates the microelectronics industry, but it is not used in photonics applications because it does not emit light efficiently. Today's photonic devices are typically made from expensive compound semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide or indium phosphide.