Scientists Create And Test World's First White Laser Beam

A team of researchers from the Arizona State University has created the world's first white laser after conducting a series of experiments involving a new type of semiconductor laser. Until now, all laser light has had a color.

The monolithic semiconductor laser has the ability to release light across the entire visible spectrum of colors so the light appears white. The monolithic semiconductor has a number of industrial applications.

During the study, the research team created a semiconductor nanosheet with the thickness one-fifth the thickness of human hair. The sheet had three panels, and each panel supported one of the three colors -- red, blue or green -- that helps in spectrum formation during the laser action when tuned to certain output. The researchers claim that when the output of the three parallel panels is combined, white laser light can be produced.

"The concept of white lasers first seems counterintuitive because the light from a typical laser contains exactly one color, a specific wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum, rather than a broad-range of different wavelengths," said Cun-Zheng Ning, lead researcher and author of the study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

During the study, the research team also compared the white laser light against the current industry standards for display monitors. Based on the findings, the researchers said the monolithic semiconductor laser can help provide nearly 70 percent more color to the products available in the market.

The researchers further said since lasers are brighter and more energy efficient than light-emitting diodes, they can be used to create new display and lighting systems. Previously, the researchers at the Sandia National Laboratory used different lasers to produce white laser light; however, the recent research has reduced the need for the device to a single nanosheet unit.