Russia Develops Nanolasers for Next-Generation Digital Devices
Russian scientists have built the world’s smallest blue nanolaser, opening the door to next‑generation displays, advanced biomedical tools, and compact optical systems.
A Breakthrough in Blue-Wavelength Photonics
Researchers at ITMO University, together with colleagues from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, have engineered the smallest blue laser ever created. The device’s volume is just 0.005 cubic microns—a record for the blue spectrum, which is essential for full‑color digital displays.
The team succeeded in building a laser 13 times smaller than its own wavelength. According to the scientists, such ultracompact light sources are a key element for advancing optical and quantum technologies.
Foundations for Next‑Generation Displays and AR Devices
The invention will make it possible to develop digital devices with entirely new types of displays, including those used in augmented‑reality systems. The lasers can also be integrated into biomedical tools, compact sensors, and imaging platforms.
Researchers emphasized that the device “uses a unique mechanism based on light–matter hybrids—polaritons,” which allows it to begin generating light without needing to overcome a conventional threshold barrier.
Toward Room‑Temperature Operation
The laser has already been successfully tested at extremely low temperatures—down to minus 193 degrees Celsius. The next phase of research will focus on adapting the technology for stable operation at room temperature, a crucial step toward commercial applications.
