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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."

2 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. Jeez, a little diode? by Corpuscavernosa · · Score: 5, Funny

    You'd think Intel would know that Radio Shack carries a wide variety...

    --
    We figured out a long time ago that it's easier to elect seven judges than to elect 132 legislators.
  2. Re:Oblig. by LordEd · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look, its simple. If its an article about lasers, the oblig comment will involve how a cooler laser will make the shark more comfortable, not the overlords comment. The overlords comment is better saved for when somebody actually develops the shark-carrying robots that will destroy us all (using the 1,2,3:??,4:profit! model, of course).