Laser temporarily reprograms ultrathin optical device without electrodes

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Published: 2026-09-28T17:02:50.624Z • Permanent link

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of optoelectronics. Led by Dr. Oskar Painter, a renowned expert in ultrathin optical devices, the team has successfully reprogrammed a tiny device using a laser, eliminating the need for electrodes. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for the development of adaptable devices in computing, imaging, and telecommunications.

The research was conducted at the Berkeley Optoelectronics Laboratory, a collaborative effort between the university's Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences department and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Painter and his team have been working on developing ultrathin optical devices that can be reprogrammed using light, rather than traditional electronic signals. These devices have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics to medical devices.

The achievement marks a significant milestone in the field of optoelectronics, building on previous research by Painter and his team. In 2019, they demonstrated the ability to control the behavior of individual photons using light. This latest breakthrough represents a major leap forward in the development of reconfigurable optical devices.

The implications of this discovery are significant, with potential applications in various fields. Companies such as Intel and IBM are already investing heavily in the development of adaptive optical devices, which could lead to significant advances in computing power and data processing speed. Research communities are also taking notice, with several institutions announcing plans to establish research centers focused on optoelectronics and reconfigurable optical devices.

The impact on the data storage industry could be particularly significant, with the potential for more efficient and adaptable data storage solutions. Companies such as Google and Amazon are already exploring the use of optoelectronic devices for data storage, and this breakthrough could accelerate the development of more advanced technologies. Furthermore, the development of reconfigurable optical devices could also lead to significant advances in the field of quantum computing, where the ability to adapt and reconfigure devices is critical for achieving quantum supremacy.

The development of reconfigurable optical devices is part of a larger trend in the field of optoelectronics, which has seen significant advances in recent years. Companies such as Apple and Samsung are already using optoelectronic devices in their smartphones and other consumer electronics, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Meanwhile, researchers at institutions such as Harvard and MIT are exploring the use of optoelectronic devices in fields such as biomedical imaging and sensing.