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Gayathri R, Suchand Sandeep CS, Vijayan C, Murukeshan VM. Lasing from Micro- and Nano-Scale Photonic Disordered Structures for Biomedical Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2466. [PMID: 37686974 PMCID: PMC10490388 DOI: 10.3390/nano13172466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
A disordered photonic medium is one in which scatterers are distributed randomly. Light entering such media experiences multiple scattering events, resulting in a "random walk"-like propagation. Micro- and nano-scale structured disordered photonic media offer platforms for enhanced light-matter interaction, and in the presence of an appropriate gain medium, coherence-tunable, quasi-monochromatic lasing emission known as random lasing can be obtained. This paper discusses the fundamental physics of light propagation in micro- and nano-scale disordered structures leading to the random lasing phenomenon and related aspects. It then provides a state-of-the-art review of this topic, with special attention to recent advancements of such random lasers and their potential biomedical imaging and biosensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Gayathri
- Centre for Optical and Laser Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore; (R.G.); (C.S.S.S.)
| | - C. S. Suchand Sandeep
- Centre for Optical and Laser Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore; (R.G.); (C.S.S.S.)
| | - C. Vijayan
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - V. M. Murukeshan
- Centre for Optical and Laser Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore; (R.G.); (C.S.S.S.)
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Keerthana L, Ahmad Dar M, Dharmalingam G. Plasmonic Au-Metal Oxide Nanocomposites for High-Temperature and Harsh Environment Sensing Applications. Chem Asian J 2021; 16:3558-3584. [PMID: 34510778 DOI: 10.1002/asia.202100885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Noble metal nanoparticles like Au have long been admired for their brilliant colour, significantly influenced by plasmon resonance. When embedded in metal oxides, they exhibit unique properties which make them an excellent choice for sensing in high-temperature and harsh environment atmospheres. In this review, the various morphologies of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) used in combination with metal oxides for sensing gases at temperatures greater than 300 °C are discussed. Theoretical discussions on the plasmon resonance properties of AuNPs as well as computational techniques like finite difference time domain (FDTD), are often used for understanding and correlating their extinction spectra and are briefed initially. The sensing properties of AuNPs embedded on a metal oxide matrix (such as TiO2 , SiO2 , NiO etc) for quantifying multiple analytes are then elucidated. The effect of high temperature as well as gas environments including corrosive atmospheres on such nanocomposites, and the different approaches to comprehend them are presented. Finally, techniques and methods to improve on the challenges associated with the realization and integration such Au-metal oxide plasmonic nanostructures for applications such as combustion monitoring, fuel cells, and other applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Keerthana
- Plasmonic nanomaterials laboratory, PSG Institute of Advanced Studies, Coimbatore, 641004, India
| | - Mushtaq Ahmad Dar
- Center of Excellence for Research in Engineering (CEREM), College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11421, Saudi Arabia
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Ge K, Guo D, Ma X, Xu Z, Hayat A, Li S, Zhai T. Large-Area Biocompatible Random Laser for Wearable Applications. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:1809. [PMID: 34361195 PMCID: PMC8308224 DOI: 10.3390/nano11071809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recently, wearable sensor technology has drawn attention to many health-related appliances due to its varied existing optical, electrical, and mechanical applications. Similarly, we have designed a simple and cheap lift-off fabrication technique for the realization of large-area biocompatible random lasers to customize wearable sensors. A large-area random microcavity comprises a matrix element polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in which rhodamine B (RhB, which acts as a gain medium) and gold nanorods (Au NRs, which offer plasmonic feedback) are incorporated via a spin-coating technique. In regards to the respective random lasing device residing on a heterogenous film (area > 100 cm2), upon optical excitation, coherent random lasing with a narrow linewidth (~0.4 nm) at a low threshold (~23 μJ/cm2 per pulse) was successfully attained. Here, we maneuvered the mechanical flexibility of the device to modify the spacing between the feedback agents (Au NRs), which tuned the average wavelength from 612.6 to 624 nm under bending while being a recoverable process. Moreover, the flexible film can potentially be used on human skin such as the finger to serve as a motion and relative-humidity sensor. This work demonstrates a designable and simple method to fabricate a large-area biocompatible random laser for wearable sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Ge
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
| | - Dan Guo
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
| | - Xiaojie Ma
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
| | - Zhiyang Xu
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
| | - Anwer Hayat
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
| | - Songtao Li
- Department of Mathematics & Physics, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071000, China;
| | - Tianrui Zhai
- Faculty of Science, College of Physics and Optoelectronics, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; (K.G.); (D.G.); (X.M.); (Z.X.); (A.H.)
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Cunningham S, Hrelescu C, Bradley AL. Plasmonic nanodiscs on vanadium dioxide thin films for tunable luminescence enhancement. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:22288-22298. [PMID: 34265997 DOI: 10.1364/oe.434135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We propose an alternative method to dynamically tune luminescence enhancement in the near infrared spectral range using noble metal nanostructures on top of phase change material vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films. The VO2 phase change is used to tune the nanodisc plasmon resonance providing a luminescence modification mechanism. We employ a model to calculate the emission of quantum emitters, such as dye molecules, in hybrid systems comprising single silver (Ag) nanodiscs on top of a thin layer of VO2. The model considers different dipole orientations and positions with respect to the nanostructure-VO2 film and determines the degree of observable luminescence modification. In the NIR spectral region, the observable photoluminescence of Alexa Dyes in the hybrid systems at room temperature is enhanced by more than a factor of 2.5 as compared to the same system without plasmonic particles. An additional photoluminescence enhancement by more than a factor of 2 can be achieved with the Ag nanodisc-VO2 film systems after the phase transition of the VO2. These systems can be used for tunable luminescence modification and for compensation of thermally induced luminescence quenching. Through optimization of the Ag nanodisc-VO2 film system, luminescence enhancements of up to a factor of 4 can be seen in the metallic VO2 compared to the semiconducting phase and would therefore compensate for a thermal quenching of up to 70% between room temperature and 70° C, rendering the hybrid systems as promising candidates for improved photon management in optoelectronic devices where elevated temperatures minimize the efficiencies of such devices.
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Charchi N, Li Y, Huber M, Kwizera EA, Huang X, Argyropoulos C, Hoang T. Small mode volume plasmonic film-coupled nanostar resonators. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2020; 2:2397-2403. [PMID: 34046555 PMCID: PMC8153380 DOI: 10.1039/d0na00262c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Confining and controlling light in extreme subwavelength scales are tantalizing tasks. In this work, we report a study of individual plasmonic film-coupled nanostar resonators where polarized plasmonic optical modes are trapped in ultrasmall volumes. Individual gold nanostars, separated from a flat gold film by a thin dielectric spacer layer, exhibit a strong light confinement between the sub-10 nm volume of the nanostar's tips and the film. Through dark field scattering measurements of many individual nanostars, a statistical observation of the scattered spectra is obtained and compared with extensive simulation data to reveal the origins of the resonant peaks. We observe that an individual nanostar on a flat gold film can result in a resonant spectrum with single, double or multiple peaks. Further, these resonant peaks are strongly polarized under white light illumination. Our simulation data revealed that the resonant spectrum of an individual film-coupled nanostar resonator is related to the symmetry of the nanostar, as well as the orientation of the nanostar relative to its placement on the gold substrate. Our results demonstrate a simple new method to create an ultrasmall mode volume and polarization sensitive plasmonic platform which could be useful for applications in sensing or enhanced light-matter interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negar Charchi
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of MemphisMemphisTN 38152USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-LincolnLincolnNE 68588USA
| | - Margaret Huber
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of MemphisMemphisTN 38152USA
| | | | - Xiaohua Huang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of MemphisMemphisTN 38152USA
| | - Christos Argyropoulos
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-LincolnLincolnNE 68588USA
| | - Thang Hoang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of MemphisMemphisTN 38152USA
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Khatri DS, Li Y, Chen J, Stocks AE, Kwizera EA, Huang X, Argyropoulos C, Hoang T. Plasmon-assisted random lasing from a single-mode fiber tip. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:16417-16426. [PMID: 32549465 PMCID: PMC7340382 DOI: 10.1364/oe.391650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Random lasing occurs as the result of a coherent optical feedback from multiple scattering centers. Here, we demonstrate that plasmonic gold nanostars are efficient light scattering centers, exhibiting strong field enhancement at their nanotips, which assists a very narrow bandwidth and highly amplified coherent random lasing with a low lasing threshold. First, by embedding plasmonic gold nanostars in a rhodamine 6G dye gain medium, we observe a series of very narrow random lasing peaks with full-width at half-maximum ∼ 0.8 nm. In contrast, free rhodamine 6G dye molecules exhibit only a single amplified spontaneous emission peak with a broader linewidth of 6 nm. The lasing threshold for the dye with gold nanostars is two times lower than that for a free dye. Furthermore, by coating the tip of a single-mode optical fiber with gold nanostars, we demonstrate a collection of random lasing signal through the fiber that can be easily guided and analyzed. Time-resolved measurements show a significant increase in the emission rate above the lasing threshold, indicating a stimulated emission process. Our study provides a method for generating random lasing in the nanoscale with low threshold values that can be easily collected and guided, which promise a range of potential applications in remote sensing, information processing, and on-chip coherent light sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipendra S. Khatri
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Jiyang Chen
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Anna Elizabeth Stocks
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | | | - Xiaohua Huang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
| | - Christos Argyropoulos
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Thang Hoang
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
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