Catenaa, Tuesday, October 28, 2025-Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with EPFL and Luxtelligence SA, have unveiled a new microchip-based laser that is smaller, faster, and more affordable than current precision lasers.
The breakthrough could reshape applications in self-driving vehicles, environmental monitoring, and high-speed communication.
The laser integrates advanced materials with microscopic light circuits, producing a stable, powerful beam that can be tuned smoothly and quickly.
Unlike traditional lasers, which require complex adjustments, the new device allows precise control with a single interface. The compact design also supports scalable, cost-effective manufacturing using existing chip technology.
The technology shows strong promise for Lidar systems in autonomous vehicles, measuring object distances with accuracy within roughly four centimeters.
In addition, initial tests demonstrated its potential for detecting trace gases, including highly toxic hydrogen cyanide, highlighting applications in safety and environmental monitoring.
Published in Nature Photonics, the research demonstrates that ultrafast tunable photonic-integrated lasers can overcome limitations of bulkiness, cost, and operational complexity in existing precision lasers.
The team’s design ensures high stability and power while reducing the number of required control mechanisms.
The project continues under the EIC Pathfinder OPEN scholarship ELLIPTIC, with ongoing efforts to optimize performance and expand industrial applications.
Researchers say the approach could enable widespread use of compact, high-performance lasers for measurement, communication, and sensing technologies.
Researchers developed a microchip-based laser that is compact, tunable, and powerful, with applications in Lidar, gas detection, and high-speed communication.
