Re:Modern electronic computers are getting closer. (Score 1)

The Silicon laser isn't working with population inversion, it is based on the Raman effect - a nonlinear process. Pump photons are converted to photons with a lower energy given a phonon (a lattice vibration at 15.6 THz in this case). The laser works because the fact that Silicon is NOT strongly absorptive at the lasing wavelength. The lasing wavelength is 1650nm if I recall correctly. The bandgap of Silicon is ~1100nm. So there is no way that Silicon can be used to detect this light. Bandgap engineering or a completely different material system is needed to detect this light.