Making Light of Silicon.

Discusses how two research groups, one at the University of California at Los Angeles and the other at Intel Corp., have recently reported success in making silicon emit continuos laser light. Review of how scientists have long sought to build lasers from silicon; Practical benefits of such a technology, which would enable engineers to incorporate both electronic and optical devices onto cheap silicon chips rather than being compelled to employ costly-to-make lasers based on more expensive semiconductor materials; Comments on the new research from Philppe M. Fauchet, an electrical and computer engineer at the University of Rochester in New York.