Optofluidic Microring Dye Laser

We demonstrated, for the first time, an optofluidic microring dye laser on a monolithic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) chip. Laser threshold of 9.2nJ was obtained with a single mode liquid-core waveguide based microring cavity

Mask pattern transferred transient grating technique for molecular-dynamics study in solutions

We have developed a mask pattern transferred transient grating (MPT-TG) technique by using metal grating films. Transient thermal grating is generated by an ultraviolet light pattern transfer to nitrobenzene in 2-propanol solution, and the subsequent effect is detected through its diffraction to a probe beam. The thermal diffusion coefficient is obtained by the relationship between the grating periods and the signal decay lifetime, and is well in agreement with the calculated value. This technique has many advantages, such as a simple setting, an easy alignment, accurate phase control, and high stability for molecular-dynamics study in solutions

Mechanically tunable optofluidic distributed feedback dye laser

A continuously tunable optofluidic distributed feedback (DFB) dye laser was demonstrated on a monolithic replica molded poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) chip. The optical feedback was provided by a phase-shifted higher order Bragg grating embedded in the liquid core of a single mode buried channel waveguide. Due to the soft elastomeric nature of PDMS, the laser frequency could be tuned by mechanically stretching the grating period. In principle, the mechanical tuning range is only limited by the gain bandwidth. A tuning range of nearly 60nm was demonstrated from a single dye laser chip by combining two common dye molecules Rhodamine 6G and Rhodamine 101. Single-mode operation was maintained with less than 0.1nm linewidth. Because of the higher order grating, a single laser, when operated with different dye solutions, can provide tunable light output covering the entire spectrum from near UV to near IR in which efficient laser dyes are available. An array of five DFB dye lasers with different grating periods was also demonstrated on a chip. Such tunable integrated laser arrays are expected to become key components in inexpensive advanced spectroscopy chips

Visible two-dimensional photonic crystal slab laser

The authors describe the fabrication and performance of photonic crystal lasers fabricated within thin membranes of InGaP/InGaAlP quantum well material and emitting in the visible wavelength range. These lasers have ultrasmall mode volumes, emit red light, and exhibit low threshold powers. They can be lithographically tuned from 650 to 690 nm. Their cavity volumes of approximately 0.01 µm3 are ideally suited for use as spectroscopic sources

Photonic Crystal Lasers

We compare photonic crystal lasers with other microcavities for future switching and spectroscopy systems. High speed and efficiency along with massive lithographic integration makes these lasers particularly interesting for optical switching and signal processing

Visible submicron microdisk lasers

The authors describe the performance of submicron microdisk lasers fabricated within InGaP/InGaAlP quantum well material working at room temperature. The smallest lasers, with diameters of approximately 600 nm, feature ultrasmall mode volumes and exhibit single mode operation at low threshold powers. Their small cavity volumes of approximately 0.03 µm^3 enable microdisk lasers to be used as spectroscopic sources. Here the authors demonstrate the fabrication and characterization of visible, monolithically fabricated, submicron microdisk lasers