Germanium laser created, useful for optical communication

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I just read this interesting news that I want to share with you:

MIT researchers have demonstrated the first laser built from germanium that can produce wavelengths of light useful for optical communication. It's also the first germanium laser to operate at room temperature. Germanium is easy to incorporate into existing processes for manufacturing silicon chips. So the result could prove an important step toward computers that move data -- and maybe even perform calculations -- using light instead of electricity. But more fundamentally, the researchers have shown that, contrary to prior belief, a class of materials called indirect-band-gap semiconductors can yield practical lasers.

Here's the news article:
ScienceDaily - Computers that use light instead of electricity? First germanium laser created

ODN conduits are just around the corner... I remember them making an optical computer about 10 years ago, it was considered 'as intelligent as a washing machine'...;0

at least progress is being made. Interesting stuff.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a similar story:
http://www.wrongplanet.net/postx117716-0-0.html
Optical computing is somewhat difficult as photons carry no mass or charge.