Programmable Rainbow-Colored Optofluidic Fiber Laser Encoded with Topologically Structured Chiral Droplets

Abstract

Optofluidic lasers are emerging building blocks with immense potential in the development of miniaturized light sources, integrated photonics, and sensors. The capability of on-demand lasing output with programmable and continuous wavelength tunability over a broad spectral range enables key functionalities in wavelength-division multiplexing and manipulation of light-matter interactions. However, the ability to control multicolor lasing characteristics within a small mode volume with high reconfigurability remains challenging. The color gamut is also restricted by the number of dyes and emission wavelength of existing materials. In this study, we introduce a fully programmable multicolor laser by encapsulating organic-dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplet lasers in an optofluidic fiber. A mechanism for tuning laser emission wavelengths was proposed by manipulating the topologically induced nanoshell structures in microdroplets with different chiral dopant concentrations. Precision control of distinctive lasing wavelengths and colors covering the entire visible spectra was achieved, including monochromatic lasing, dual-color lasing, tri-color lasing, and white colored lasing with tunable color temperatures. Our findings revealed a CIE color map with 145% more perceptible colors than the standard RGB space, shedding light on the development of programmable lasers, multiplexed encoding, and biomedical detection.

Motor-like microlasers functioning in biological fluids

“…A previous study has reported that WGM lasing will shift toward long wavelengths (red shift) as the chiral dopant concentration increases. 35…”

“…will shift toward long wavelengths (red shift) as the chiral dopant concentration increases. 35 To verify the lasing action, we measured the output lasing intensities and linewidths of a microlaser droplet by increasing the pump energy densities in Fig. S3 † (Nile Red (NR)-doped CLC droplet with MNPs).…”

Room-temperature Continuous-Wave Upconversion White Microlaser Using a Rare-earth-Doped Microcavity

“…Besides, as multi-wavelength coherent light sources, white lasers can also be applied in optical signal processing, − high-speed visible-light communications, − and holograms. , However, the realization of white lasers is still suffering from the balance between optical gain and feedback in a broadband wavelength range and the compatibility between gain materials and cavity structures . Some works utilized separate devices to produce three primary colors, which increases the volume, the complexity, and the cost of the overall systems. , Furthermore, white lasers based on an individual device have also been realized by quantum dots, dye-doped polymers, ,,− and gases . Remarkably, Ning et al integrated the ZnCdSe alloy on a monolithic chip, achieving a white laser under a 355-nm pulsed laser pump …”

Polymer-Dispersed Cholesteric Liquid Crystal under Homeotropic Anchoring: Electrically Induced Structures with λ1/2-Disclination

“…Dispersions of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) droplets are used to develop various smart materials and find practical use as controllable reflective colour coatings [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ], programmable lasers [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ], bio- and chemosensors [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], etc. The application multiplicity of CLC dispersions is due to the vast diversity of the formed orientational structures, which are determined by the boundary conditions, the droplet’s shape, the CLC elasticity constants, the ratio of the droplet’s size d and the cholesteric intrinsic helix pitch characterized by the relative chiral parameter [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”