World's first practical surface-emitting laser for optical fiber communications is compact, energy efficient, and low cost

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1086381

"joint project: Sony's advanced semiconductor processing/ NICT's high-precision crystal growth... quantum dot optical gain medium as light-emitting materials... Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers operate at near-IR region, but need for long wavelength for existing fiber optics involves increased complexity, overcome growing 99% reflective semiconductor multilayer film. strictly controlling ratio of materials, strain-compensation cancels internal crystal strain increasing QD density... tunnel junction current injection"

Related: Affordable laser could be mass-produced for use in self-driving cars and fiber optics
https://phys.org/news/2025-06-laser-mass-cars-fiber-optics.html