A key challenge is to realize ultracompact lasers that can directly generate coherent optical fields at the nanometre scale, far beyond the diffraction limit. Surface plasmons could be used to tightly confine light on very short lengthscales, but so far this approach has been hampered by ohmic losses at optical frequencies. The experimental demonstration of nanometre-scale plasmonic lasers is now reported, realized using a hybrid plasmonic waveguide — these lasers can generate optical modes a hundred times smaller than the diffraction limit.
- Rupert F. Oulton
- Volker J. Sorger
- Xiang Zhang
