Cooling at the Speed of Light
17th June 2026
Advances in materials and science are pushing optical cooling out of the lab and closer to actual semiconductors and other electronic systems. “The ability to diffuse energy in a highly targeted way has profound ramifications that extend from performance and costs to sustainability,” Pauzauskie said.
In fact, the appeal of optical cooling extends beyond chips. The technology could also enable more precise scientific instruments: atomic clocks, telescopes, satellites, and more, said Alexander Albrecht, a research assistant professor at the University of New Mexico. “It’s possible to cool exactly where you generate heat—down to microscopic ‘hot spots’—rather than cooling an entire enclosure.”