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Capocefalo A, Quintiero E, Conti C, Ghofraniha N, Viola I. Droplet Lasers for Smart Photonic Labels. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:51485-51494. [PMID: 34666483 PMCID: PMC9296018 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c14972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Microscopic lasers represent a promising tool for the development of cutting-edge photonic devices thanks to their ability to enhance light-matter interaction at the microscale. In this work, we realize liquid microlasers with tunable emission by exploiting the self-formation of three-dimensional liquid droplets into a polymeric matrix driven by viscoelastic dewetting. We design a flexible device to be used as a smart photonic label which is detachable and reusable on various types of substrates such as paper or fabric. The innovative lasing emission mechanism proposed here is based on whispering gallery mode emission coupled to random lasing, the latter prompted by the inclusion of dielectric compounds into the active gain medium. The wide possibility of modulating the emission wavelength of the microlasers by acting on different parameters, such as the cavity size, type and volume fraction of the dielectrics, and gain medium, offers a multitude of spectroscopic encoding schemes for the realization of photonic barcodes and labels to be employed in anticounterfeiting applications and multiplexed bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Capocefalo
- CNR
ISC, Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, c/o Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - E. Quintiero
- CNR
NANOTEC, Istituto di Nanotecnologia, c/o Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - C. Conti
- CNR
ISC, Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, c/o Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - N. Ghofraniha
- CNR
ISC, Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi, c/o Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - I. Viola
- CNR
NANOTEC, Istituto di Nanotecnologia, c/o Università Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
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Gummaluri VS, Gayathri R, Vijayan C, Matham MV. Bio-inspired wrinkle microstructures for random lasing governed by surface roughness. OPTICS LETTERS 2021; 46:1033-1036. [PMID: 33649650 DOI: 10.1364/ol.417148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A method for fabricating bio-inspired scattering substrates based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for spatially incoherent random lasing is presented. The leaves of monstera and piper sarmentosum plants are used to mold PDMS polymer to form wrinkle-like scattering substrates, which are then used with a liquid gain medium for random lasing. Scattering is attributed to the surface roughness (Sa) of the samples. The rougher sample with 5.2 µm Sa shows a two-mode stable lasing with a 2 nm linewidth and a lower threshold fluence of 0.2mJ/cm2 compared to the sample with smaller Sa (3.6 µm) with a linewidth of 5 nm and a threshold fluence of 0.5mJ/cm2. The waveguide theory substantiates the results of incoherent random lasing through a relation between the microstructure feature size and the mean free path. Power Fourier transform analysis is used to deduce the resonant cavity length of 180 µm in the rougher sample, and the observed variations in cavity length with Sa validate the optical feedback. PDMS being hydrophobic, the scattering substrate can be reused by wiping off the gain medium. This Letter paves the way for facile fabrication methods of bio-inspired random lasers for sensing and imaging applications.
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Advances in Random Fiber Lasers and Their Sensing Application. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20216122. [PMID: 33126426 PMCID: PMC7663712 DOI: 10.3390/s20216122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Compared with conventional laser, random laser (RL) has no resonant cavity, reducing the requirement of cavity design. In recent years, the random fiber laser (RFL), a novel kind of RL, has made great progress in theories and experiments. The RFL has a simpler structure, a more flexible design, and higher reliability. It has valuable applications for earth sciences, biological life sciences, and national defense security, due to these unique properties. This paper reviews the development of RFLs in the last decade, including their configurations based on various optical fibers and their output properties, especially the method of control. Moreover, we also introduce their applications in the optical fiber sensing system, which is a very important and practical orientation to study. Finally, this paper presents the prospects of RFLs.
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Mallick SP, Hong YH, Chen LR, Kao TS, Lu TC. Effect of Passivation Layer on the Thin Film Perovskite Random Lasers. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 13:E2322. [PMID: 32443648 PMCID: PMC7288200 DOI: 10.3390/ma13102322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Novel functionalities of disorder-induced scattering effect in random lasers, attributed to low spatial coherence, draw remarkable attention in high-contrast to superior quality speckle-free imaging applications. This paper demonstrates perovskite-polystyrene (PS)-based random lasing action with robust optical performance at room temperature. Optical characterizations are carried out upon perovskite thin films addition with polystyrene of different mixing concentrations (wt.%). A low threshold lasing operation is achieved with an increasing concentration of polystyrene, accompanying a wavy surface texture with high surface roughness. The rough surface dominating multiple scattering effects leads to enhanced feedback efficiency. Moreover, this study also elucidates efficient fabrication process steps for the development of high quality and durable PS-based random lasers. With the advantages of reduced coherent artifacts and low spatial coherence, speckle free projection images of the USAF (U. S. Air Force MIL-STD-150A standard of 1951) resolution test chart are shown for different PS-based random lasers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tien-Chang Lu
- Department of Photonics, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan; (S.P.M); (Y.-H.H.); (L.-R.C.); (T.S.K.)
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Hoinka NM, Ostwald C, Fuhrmann-Lieker T. Two-dimensional Wrinkle Resonators for Random Lasing in Organic Glasses. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2434. [PMID: 32051460 PMCID: PMC7015940 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Random lasers consisting of slab waveguides with two-dimensional disordered wrinkling patterns that act as scattering resonators are reported. As active material 2,2',7,7'-tetraphenyl-9,9'-spirobifluorene is used which is sandwiched between an oxidized silicon wafer and a cladding with higher glass transition temperature. Wrinkles with tailorable periodicity have been induced by thermal annealing. Photopumping experiments show the transition from amplified spontaneous emission to a multiple peak laser spectrum with linewidths as low as 0.1 nm, demonstrating the applicability of this approach for random laser design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai M Hoinka
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Christoph Ostwald
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - Thomas Fuhrmann-Lieker
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany.
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Wang YC, Li H, Hong YH, Hong KB, Chen FC, Hsu CH, Lee RK, Conti C, Kao TS, Lu TC. Flexible Organometal-Halide Perovskite Lasers for Speckle Reduction in Imaging Projection. ACS NANO 2019; 13:5421-5429. [PMID: 31009199 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Disorder is emerging as a strategy for fabricating random laser sources with very promising materials, such as perovskites, for which standard laser cavities are not effective or too expensive. We need, however, different fabrication protocols and technologies for reducing the laser threshold and controlling its emission. Here, we demonstrate an effectively solvent-engineered method for high-quality perovskite thin films on a flexible polyimide substrate. The fractal perovskite thin films exhibit excellent optical properties at room temperature and easily achieve lasing action without any laser cavity above room temperature with a low pumping threshold. The lasing action is also observed in curved perovskite thin films on flexible substrates. The lasing threshold can be further reduced by increasing the local curvature, which modifies the scattering strengths of the bent thin film. We also show that the curved perovskite lasers are extremely robust with respect to repeated deformations. Because of the low spatial coherence, these curved random laser devices are efficient and durable speckle-free light sources for applications in spectroscopy, bioimaging, and illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chi Wang
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Yu-Heng Hong
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Bin Hong
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Fang-Chung Chen
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Hsu
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
- Division of Scientific Research , National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center , Hsinchu 30076 , Taiwan
| | - Ray-Kuang Lee
- Institute of Photonics Technologies , National Tsing Hua University , Hsinchu 30013 , Taiwan
- Physics Division , National Center for Theoretical Sciences , Hsinchu 30013 , Taiwan
| | - Claudio Conti
- Department of Physics , University Sapienza of Rome , Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 , Rome 00185 , Italy
| | - Tsung Sheng Kao
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
| | - Tien-Chang Lu
- Department of Photonics and Institute of Electro-Optical Engineering, College of Electrical and Computer Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30050 , Taiwan
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Hoinka NM, Fuhrmann-Lieker T. Amplified Spontaneous Emission in Paper. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1862. [PMID: 30755646 PMCID: PMC6372576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38438-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Industrially produced copy paper is presented as a novel optical material for narrow-band stimulated emission. Fluorescent brightening agents (FBA) such as Calcofluor White provide enough gain to exceed the threshold for amplified spontaneous emission. By applying an additional dye such as Coumarin 307, or simply a highlighter pen, the emission line can be shifted from blue (~440 nm), towards turquoise (>480 nm), up to orange (590 nm) which can be useful for spectroscopic applications. These properties are demonstrated in two papers, a commercial copy paper and a FBA-stained calligraphy paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Hoinka
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany
| | - T Fuhrmann-Lieker
- Macromolecular Chemistry and Molecular Materials, Institute of Chemistry and Center for Interdisciplinary Nanostructure Science and Technology, University of Kassel, Heinrich-Plett Str. 40, 34132, Kassel, Germany.
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Gaikwad P, Ungureanu S, Backov R, Vynck K, Vallée RAL. Photon transport in cylindrically-shaped disordered meso-macroporous materials. OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 22:7503-7513. [PMID: 24718124 DOI: 10.1364/oe.22.007503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We theoretically and experimentally investigate light diffusion in disordered meso-macroporous materials with a cylindrical shape. High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE)-based silica foam samples, exhibiting a polydisperse pore-size distribution centered around 19 μm to resemble certain biological tissues, are realized. To quantify the effect of a finite lateral size on measurable quantities, an analytical model for diffusion in finite cylinders is developed and validated by Monte Carlo random walk simulations. Steady-state and time-resolved transmission experiments are performed and the transport parameters (transport mean free path and material absorption length) are successfully retrieved from fits of the experimental curves with the proposed model. This study reveals that scattering losses on the lateral sides of the samples are responsible for a lowering of the transmission signal and a shortening of the photon lifetime, similar in experimental observables to the effect of material absorption. The recognition of this geometrical effect is essential since its wrong attribution to material absorption could be detrimental in various applications, such as biological tissue diagnosis or conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells.
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