US Patent 8121162 - Nanocrystal laser

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8121162.html

This patent from MIT has priority going back to 2001 and includes some broad claims to forming a laser using nanocrystals. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of forming a laser comprising:

selecting a semiconductor nanocrystal having a diameter and a composition; and

placing the semiconductor nanocrystal on a grating arranged to provide feedback.