Blog Post Image: A new way to make laser-like beams using 250x less power

University of Michigan researchers have demonstrated what’s believed to be the first practical polariton laser, which makes light beams in a more efficient way than conventional lasers. To accomplish this, they devised an innovative design that involved moving the required mirrors from the top and bottom of the device to the sides. The mirrors are represented by the gray bars. The yellow is the electrode through which the researchers stimulate the laser. The purple is the gallium nitride semiconductor that is able to maintain ideal conditions for polaritons to form and release light. Image credit: Thomas Frost (Click image to enlarge)