Nano lasers, depending on their specific design and application, have a variety of uses. They are not a single, unified technology but rather a broad category encompassing various types of lasers at the nanoscale. This leads to several applications, ranging from medical aesthetics to advanced optical technologies.
Applications in Medicine:
- Skin Resurfacing: The most prevalent current application of nano lasers is in the field of dermatology, specifically the NanoLaserPeel. This procedure uses an erbium laser to gently remove the top layer of damaged skin, improving skin texture, reducing discoloration, and revealing a more youthful appearance. Sources such as Sciton (https://sciton.com/treatment/nanolaserpeel-by-sciton/), Clinique Dallas (https://cliniquedallas.com/nano-laser-peel/), and others describe its use for polishing dull, dry skin with minimal downtime. This treatment is customizable to achieve specific results and downtime preferences.
Applications in Advanced Technologies:
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Optical Interconnects: Research into nano lasers focuses on integrating them with silicon circuits to improve the performance and reduce the cost of optical interconnects. (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep14067) This application leverages the lasers' ability to confine light on a scale approaching or suppressing the diffraction limit.
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Nanotechnology and Cancer Treatment: While still under development, nano lasers have potential applications in cancer therapy. Nanoparticles, small enough to interact with diseased tissue, might utilize lasers in ablation or hyperthermia treatments. (https://www.cancer.gov/nano/cancer-nanotechnology/treatment)
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Micromachining and Surface Treatment: Nanosecond pulsed fiber lasers are used for precision micromachining, high-throughput cleaning, and surface treatment in various industrial applications. (https://www.ipgphotonics.com/products/lasers/nanosecond-pulsed-fiber-lasers)
Other Applications:
Further research explores the use of nano lasers in areas such as:
- Thresholdless quantum dot nanolasers: These lasers are being developed for improved efficiency and performance. (https://opg.optica.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-25-17-19981)
- Plasmonic Nanolasers: These exploit the interaction of light with metallic nanostructures to achieve unique laser properties. (https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsnano.8b01206)
