An efficient, low-cost, and highly photostable second-order distributed feedback ͑DFB͒ laser, fabricated by thermal nanoimprint lithography and based on a polymer active film containing a perylenediimide derivative, is reported. It shows a photostability half-life of 3.1ϫ 10 5 pump pulses ͑Ͼ8h ͒, when pumped at the same spot of the film. This value is the highest reported to date for organic DFB lasers measured under ambient conditions. The device emits at 573 nm, matching the second low-loss transmission window of poly͑methylmethacrylate͒͑ 460-590 nm͒, thus offering potential for applications in data communications based on polymer optical fibers.

We report on the fabrication of efficient organic distributed feedback (DFB) lasers with thermally-nanoimprinted active films, emitting between 565 and 580 nm. The use of thermal-NIL has allowed, as opposed to room temperature or solvent-assisted techniques, high grating quality and excellent modulation depth. The 155°C heat exposure of the NIL process, does not significantly affect the thermal and optical properties of the active material (polystyrene films doped with a perylenediimide derivative). These devices combine a simple and low-cost preparation method with good laser characteristics, i.e. thresholds of 1 μJ/pulse, single-mode emission with linewidths below 0.2 nm and photostability half-lives of ~ 10⁵ pump pulses under ambient conditions. In comparison to more standard DFBs with gratings on the substrate, their fabrication is much easier, while they show a similar laser performance.

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