Single nanowire lasers

Ultraviolet lasing from single zinc oxide nanowires is demonstrated at room temperature. Near-field optical microscopy images quantify the localization and the divergence of the laser beam. The linewidths, wavelengths, and power dependence of the nanowire emission characterize the nanowire as an active optical cavity. These individual nanolasers could serve as miniaturized light sources for microanalysis, information storage, and optical computing.