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THE GIST:

* A new infrared laser could lead to powerful computer chips that operate at the speed of light.
* This infrared laser is unique in that it works at room temperature.
* Consumers won't get their hands on it for years to come.



Light-speed computing is one step closer to reality.

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created a new infrared laser made from germanium that operates at room temperature. The research removes the cryogenic cooling systems previously needed for infrared lasers and could lead to powerful computer chips that operate at the speed of light.

"Using a germanium laser as a light source, you could communicate at very high data rates at very low power," said Jurgen Michel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who developed the new germanium laser. "Eventually you could have the computing power of today's supercomputers inside a laptop."