Well known microprocessor developer, Intel, has recently discovered a technique that will allow lasers to be created from silicon. The breakthrough could potentially decrease the cost of optical communication due to the abundant supply and relative inexpense of silicon.
Intel's chip contains eight continuous Raman lasers using "fairly standard" silicon processes. Dispite the recent breakthrough, "silicon lasers likely won't enter the market for at least four to five years." Perhaps the biggest implication of the dicovery is the mere fact it was not previously considered possible to create lasers from silicon.
