Laser action in a surface-structured free-standing membrane based on a π-conjugated polymer-composite

Chen, Y., Herrnsdorf, J., Guilhabert, B., Kanibolotsky, A. L., Mackintosh, A. R., Wang, Y., Pethrick, R. A., Gu, E., Turnbull, G. A. and Skabara, P. J. (2011) Laser action in a surface-structured free-standing membrane based on a π-conjugated polymer-composite. Organic Electronics, 12(1), pp. 62-69. (doi: 10.1016/j.orgel.2010.09.021)

Abstract

A free-standing organic composite membrane distributed feedback (DFB) laser template-patterned by a commercially-available blank digital versatile disk (DVD) is demonstrated. This laser operates at room-temperature and ambient atmosphere and is based on a specifically designed composite incorporating a recently introduced organic semiconductor polymer system, green light-emitting π-conjugated poly[2,5-bis(2′,5′-bis(2″-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylene vinylene] (BBEHP-PPV), as the gain element. This flexible organic membrane laser oscillates around 521 nm above a 1.1 mJ/cm2 threshold. Optical gain characteristics of the composite material are also reported. The approach represents a step towards viable low-cost, even ‘disposable’ organic solid-state lasers.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by EPSRC under the project of ‘HYPIX’. Y. Chen acknowledges support from SUPA.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kanibolotskyy, Dr Oleksandr and Skabara, Professor Peter
• Authors: Chen, Y., Herrnsdorf, J., Guilhabert, B., Kanibolotsky, A. L., Mackintosh, A. R., Wang, Y., Pethrick, R. A., Gu, E., Turnbull, G. A., and Skabara, P. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Organic Electronics
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1566-1199
• ISSN (Online): 1878-5530
• Published Online: 23 October 2010