Researchers have built an ultra-compact nanolaser set to revolutionize data transfer inside microchips by replacing electrical signals with light.

Thanks to a breakthrough nanolaser developed at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the vision of computers communicating via light instead of electricity moves closer to reality.

Published in *Science Advances*, the device is so miniature that thousands can be integrated onto a single microchip. Instead of power-hungry electric currents that generate heat and degrade performance, these nanolasers carry information using photons. The shift promises major gains in processing speed while cutting energy consumption across devices from smartphones to large data centers.

Professor Jesper Mork from DTU commented: “Nanolasers open up opportunities for a new generation of high-performance, ultra-small components. In information technology, ultra-small, energy-efficient lasers can reduce computer power use. In healthcare, their strong light focusing capability enables high-resolution imaging and highly sensitive biosensors.”

Mork led the work alongside Dr. Meng Xiong, Dr. Yi Yu and other colleagues in DTU’s Department of Electro-Optics.

Cutting Computer Energy Use by Half

While the internet already transmits data through optical fiber, circuits inside computers still rely on electrical signals, which produce heat and cap performance. Directly integrating nanolasers onto chips can resolve these issues by enabling faster data transmission with minimal energy loss. Mork estimates the technology could halve computers’ energy consumption.

DTU’s nanolaser is engineered for this purpose, as next-generation chips are expected to need thousands of compact, power-efficient light sources for on-chip signal routing.

Technical Breakthrough

Fabricated in the DTU Nanolab cleanroom facility, the device defies long-held assumptions about the minimum possible laser size. It uses a light-trapping structure called a nanocavity to confine light within an extremely tiny volume once thought unachievable.

When excited by an optical beam, both light and electrons are confined within this minuscule region. This allows the laser to operate at room temperature with very low power consumption. The original nanocavity design was developed by the group of Professor Ole Sigmund at DTU’s Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

Faster Technology, Lower Carbon Footprint and Improved Sensors

The next critical milestone is achieving electrical pumping of the nanolaser, which remains a major research challenge. If achieved, the technology may reshape multiple industries. Consumer electronics could become more powerful with less energy draw, and data centers can cut electricity demand to lower environmental impact. In healthcare, the same technology will support high-sensitivity sensors and sharper imaging tools.