1. Tunable multi-wavelength polymer laser based on a triangular-lattice photonic crystal structure
- Author
-
Wan Wenqiang, Huang Wenbin, Donglin Pu, Yanhua Liu, Shaolong Wu, Linsen Chen, Wen Qiao, and Yan Ye
- Subjects
Materials science ,Active laser medium ,Acoustics and Ultrasonics ,Physics::Optics ,02 engineering and technology ,01 natural sciences ,law.invention ,010309 optics ,Resonator ,Optics ,Liquid crystal ,law ,0103 physical sciences ,business.industry ,Photonic integrated circuit ,021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology ,Condensed Matter Physics ,Cladding (fiber optics) ,Laser ,Surfaces, Coatings and Films ,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials ,Optoelectronics ,0210 nano-technology ,business ,Refractive index ,Lasing threshold - Abstract
A continuously tunable multi-wavelength polymer laser based on a triangular-lattice photonic crystal cavity is demonstrated. The triangular-lattice resonator was initially fabricated through multiple interference exposure and was then replicated into a low refractive index polymer via UV-nanoimprinting. The blend of a blue-emitting conjugated polymer and a red-emitting one was used as the gain medium. Three periods in the scalene triangular-lattice structure yield stable tri-wavelength laser emission (625.5 nm, 617.4 nm and 614.3 nm) in six different directions. A uniformly aligned liquid crystal (LC) layer was incorporated into the cavity as the top cladding layer. Upon heating, the orientation of LC molecules and thus the effective refractive index of the lasing mode changes which continuously shifts the lasing wavelength. A maximum tuning range of 12.2 nm was observed for the lasing mode at 625.5 nm. This tunable tri-wavelength polymer laser is simple constructed and cost-effective. It may find application in the fields of biosensors and photonic integrated circuits.
- Published
- 2016