The “spaser,” the tiniest laser since its invention nearly 50 years ago, paves the way for a host of innovations, including “hyperlenses” resulting in sensors and microscopes 10 times more powerful than today’s and able to see objects as small as DNA, super-fast computers and consumer electronics that use light instead of electronic signals to process information; and more efficient solar collectors.

Spaser stands for surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The nanophotonic technology was developed by researchers at Purdue, Norfolk State University and Cornell University.