Role of the Exciton-Polariton in a Continuous-Wave Optically Pumped CsPbBr3 Perovskite Laser

Lead halide perovskites have emerged as excellent optical gain materials for solution-processable and flexible lasers. Recently, continuous-wave (CW) optically driven lasing was established in perovskite crystals; however, the mechanism of low-threshold operation is still disputed. In this study, CW-pumped lasing from one-dimensional CsPbBr₃ nanoribbons (NBs) with a threshold of ∼130 W cm^-2 is demonstrated, which can be ascribed to the large refractive index induced by the exciton-polariton (EP) effect. Increasing the temperature reduces the exciton fraction of EPs, which decreases the group and phase refractive indices and inhibits lasing above 100 K. Thermal management, including reducing the NB height to ∼120 ± 60 nm and adopting a high-thermal-conductivity sink, e.g., sapphire, is critical for CW-driven lasing, even at cryogenic temperatures. These results reveal the nature of ultralow-threshold lasing with CsPbBr₃ and provide insights into the construction of room-temperature CW and electrically driven perovskite macro/microlasers.

Self-Sufficient and Highly Efficient Gold Sandwich Upconversion Nanocomposite Lasers for Stretchable and Bio-applications

Multifunctional lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have spread their wings in the fields of flexible optoelectronics and biomedical applications. One of the ongoing challenges lies in achieving UCNP-based nanocomposites, which enable a continuous-wave (CW) laser action at ultralow thresholds. Here, gold sandwich UCNP nanocomposites [gold (Au¹)-UCNP-gold (Au²)] capable of exhibiting lasing at ultralow thresholds under CW excitation are demonstrated. The metastable energy-level characteristics of lanthanides are advantageous for creating population inversion. In particular, localized surface plasmon resonance-based electromagnetic hotspots in the nanocomposites and the huge enhancement of scattering coefficient for the formation of coherent closed loops due to multiple scattering facilitate the process of stimulated emissions as confirmed by theoretical simulations. The nanocomposites are subjected to stretchable systems for enhancing the lasing action (threshold ∼ 0.06 kW cm^-2) via a light-trapping effect. The applications in bioimaging of HeLa cells and antibacterial activity (photothermal therapy) are demonstrated using the newly designed Au¹-UCNP-Au² nanocomposites.

Toward jet injection by continuous-wave laser cavitation

This is a study motivated by the need to develop a needle-free device for eliminating major global healthcare problems caused by needles. The generation of liquid jets by means of a continuous-wave laser, focused into a light absorbing solution, was studied with the aim of developing a portable and affordable jet injector. We designed and fabricated glass microfluidic devices, which consist of a chamber where thermocavitation is created and a tapered channel. The growth of a vapor bubble displaces and expels the liquid through the channel as a fast traveling jet. Different parameters were varied with the purpose of increasing the jet velocity. The velocity increases with smaller channel diameters and taper ratios, whereas larger chambers significantly reduce the jet speed. It was found that the initial position of the liquid-air meniscus interface and its dynamics contribute to increased jet velocities. A maximum velocity of 94±3  m/s for a channel diameter of D=120  μm, taper ratio n=0.25, and chamber length E=200  μm was achieved. Finally, agarose gel-based skin phantoms were used to demonstrate the potential of our devices to penetrate the skin. The maximum penetration depth achieved was ∼1  mm, which is sufficient to penetrate the stratum corneum and for most medical applications. A meta-analysis shows that larger injection volumes will be required as a next step to medical relevance for laser-induced jet injection techniques in general.