A novel laser innovation using lead sulphide quantum dots offers cost-effective, scalable, and silicon-compatible solutions for extended SWIR applications.
A team of researchers at ICFO—The Institute of Photonic Sciences, has developed a novel laser technology using lead sulphide colloidal quantum dots (CQDs). This advancement enables coherent light emission in the extended short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum, overcoming longstanding challenges of cost and scalability. Their findings marked a significant step toward accessible laser systems for diverse industries.
Conventional lasers for extended SWIR applications rely on expensive and intricate materials, hindering their affordability and scalability. To tackle this, the ICFO team, led by Gerasimos Konstantatos, professor, ICREA employed large lead sulphide CQDs. These dots allow efficient light emission over a wide wavelength range without altering chemical compositions, making the technology compatible with standard silicon CMOS platforms used in integrated circuits. The compatibility makes this innovation particularly relevant for industries requiring compact, scalable, and cost-effective solutions, such as autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and environmental monitoring systems.
The researchers achieved a notable milestone by demonstrating lasing with nanosecond excitation for the first time in lead sulphide quantum dots. This eliminated the reliance on costly femtosecond laser amplifiers. By utilising larger quantum dots, they increased the absorption cross-section tenfold, drastically reducing the optical gain threshold. Such advancements pave the way for compact and scalable lasers capable of being seamlessly integrated into chip-based systems, particularly appealing for applications in photonics, sensing, and miniaturised optical devices.
“Our work represents a paradigm shift in infrared laser technology,” stated prof. Konstantatos. “For the first time, we’ve achieved lasing in the extended SWIR range with solution-processed materials at room temperature, paving the way for practical applications and more accessible technologies.”
With its ability to serve multiple industries—ranging from hazardous gas detection and biomedicine to eye-safe light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and photonic circuits—this innovation holds transformative potential. By making SWIR lasers more affordable and scalable, the research brings the photonics industry closer to widespread adoption and revolutionary advancements.
