New laser emits a more stable, energy-efficient light beam
A design based on exotic materials lets scientists better control the flow of light particles

ON THE EDGE In a new type of laser (illustrated), energy injected into the outer rings of a lattice (red) generates light particles that travel around the outer edge of the grid to a corner, where they escape as a single beam (top left).
M.A. Bandres et al/Science 2018