Bright Sparks Make Gains Towards Plastic Lasers Of The Future
Monday, May 26, 2008 - 21:35
in Physics & Chemistry
Researchers have come one step closer to finding the 'holy grail' in the field of plastic semiconductors by demonstrating a class of material that could make electrically-driven plastic laser diodes a reality. Conventional electrically-powered laser diodes used in everyday consumer goods like DVD players are currently based on inorganic semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide, gallium nitride and related alloys. The term 'semiconductor' describes the material's ability to pass an electric current, which lies somewhere between that of a metallic conductor and that of an insulator.