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Cooler Silicon Lasers Via Energy Harvesting

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the more-power-to-ya dept.

Light Licker writes "UCLA researchers have developed a way to cut power use and heat output from a silicon laser used for optoelectronics. Both have been problems because silicon absorbs too much light — producing high-energy free electrons that make heat. One of Intel's best silicon lasers produced 125 times more heat than usable light. The UCLA team added a diode to their laser which can harvest free electrons and use them to help power the circuit — simultaneously cutting heat output and power use."

3 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. Innovation by Manos_Of_Fate · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This just goes to show that even seemingly simple ideas can be powerful.

    --
    Isn't enough that I ruined a pony, making a gift for you?
  2. Re:Not expected? by Ngarrang · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "It's a very clever approach," says Philippe Fauchet, an applied physicist at the University of Rochester in New York State. "I did not expect it at all, which is always a nice surprise."

    An applied physicist "didn't expect" that an electric field would move the free electrons out of the way?

    Even the best and brightest can sometimes forget the little things. You can get so focused on another aspect.
    --
    Bearded Dragon
  3. "Wide variety" by TheReckoning · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You haven't been to a Radio Shack lately, have you? They have almost nothing.

    "You've got questions, we've got Blank Stares"