True blue This integrated photonic chip has been tuned to convert infrared laser light to blue laser light. (Courtesy: R Jacobson/NIST)"> True blue This integrated photonic chip has been tuned to convert infrared laser light to blue laser light. (Courtesy: R Jacobson/NIST)

By harnessing the unique properties of tantala (tantalum pentoxide), a team of US-based researchers has created a photonic integrated circuit that can be tuned to deliver laser light across a broad spectrum of visible and infrared wavelengths.

The work was done by Grant Brodnik at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and colleagues.

From consumer electronics to atom-based metrology systems, many modern technologies depend on sources that deliver light at specific wavelengths. However, delivering high-quality narrow-band light is difficult – especially at visible wavelengths. As a result many of these technologies cannot be miniaturized to create low-cost, portable devices.…