The family of solution-processed tin-based perovskites is demonstrated as a new and superior near-infrared gain medium. Due to the large electron-hole bimolecular recombination associated with tin and the reduced trap density with SnF treatment, these lead-free "green" perovskites yield stable coherent light emission extending to ≈1 μm at strikingly low thresholds.

Perovskite semiconductors are actively investigated for high performance solar cells. Their large optical absorption coefficient and facile solution-based, low-temperature synthesis of thin films make perovskites also a candidate for light-emitting devices across the visible and near-infrared. Specific to their potential as optical gain medium for lasers, early work has demonstrated amplified spontaneous emission and lasing at attractively low thresholds of photoexcitation. Here, we take an important step toward practically usable perovskite lasers where a solution-processed thin film is embedded within a two-dimensional photonic crystal resonator. We demonstrate high degree of temporally and spatially coherent lasing whereby well-defined directional emission is achieved near 788 nm wavelength at optical pumping energy density threshold of 68.5 ± 3.0 μJ/cm(2). The measured power conversion efficiency and differential quantum efficiency of the perovskite photonic crystal laser are 13.8 ± 0.8% and 35.8 ± 5.4%, respectively. Importantly, our approach enables scalability of the thin film lasers to a two-dimensional multielement pixelated array of microlasers which we demonstrate as a proof-of-concept for possible projection display applications.

Hybrid two-dimensional (2D) lead halide perovskites have been employed in optoelectronic applications, including white light emission for light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, until now, there have been limited reports on white light emitting lead halide perovskites with experimental insights into the mechanism of the broad band emission. Here, we present white light emission from a 2D hybrid lead chloride perovskite, using the widely known phenethylammonium cation. The single crystal X-ray structural data, time-resolved photophysical measurements, and DFT calculations are consistent with broad band emission arising from strong exciton-phonon coupling with the organic lattice, which is independent of surface defects. The phenethylammonium lead chloride material exhibits a remarkably high color rendering index of 84, CIE coordinate of (0.37,0.42), CCT of 4426, and photostability, making it ideal for natural white LEDs applications.

A new spin on perovskites untwined: Ultrafast optical switching and tuning of spin-energy states in layered halide perovskites.

Lead halide perovskite solar cells are presently the forerunner among the third generation solution-processed photovoltaic technologies. With efficiencies exceeding 20% and low production costs, they are prime candidates for commercialization. Critical insights into their light harvesting, charge transport, and loss mechanisms have been gained through time-resolved optical probes such as femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (fs-TAS), transient photoluminescence spectroscopy, and time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Specifically, the discoveries of long balanced electron-hole diffusion lengths and gain properties in halide perovskites underpin their significant roles in uncovering structure-function relations and providing essential feedback for materials development and device optimization. In particular, fs-TAS is becoming increasingly popular in perovskite characterization studies, with commercial one-box pump-probe systems readily available as part of a researcher's toolkit. Although TAS is a powerful probe in the study of charge dynamics and recombination mechanisms, its instrumentation and data interpretation can be daunting even for experienced researchers. This issue is exacerbated by the sensitive nature of halide perovskites where the kinetics are especially susceptible to pump fluence, sample preparation and handling and even degradation effects that could lead to disparate conclusions. Nonetheless, with end-users having a clear understanding of TAS's capabilities, subtleties, and limitations, cutting-edge work with deep insights can still be performed using commercial setups as has been the trend for ubiquitous spectroscopy instruments like absorption, fluorescence, and transient photoluminescence spectrometers. Herein, we will first briefly examine the photophysical processes in lead halide perovskites, highlighting their novel properties. Next, we proceed to give a succinct overview of the fundamentals of pump-probe spectroscopy in relation to the spectral features of halide perovskites and their origins. In the process, we emphasize some key findings of seminal photophysical studies and draw attention to the interpretations that remain divergent and the open questions. This is followed by a general description into how we prepare and conduct the TAS characterization of CH3NH3PbI3 thin films in our laboratory with specific discussions into the potential pitfalls and the influence of thin film processing on the kinetics. Lastly, we conclude with our views on the challenges and opportunities from the photophysical perspective for the field and our expectations for systems beyond lead halide perovskites.