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Microwave Photonics Systems Based on Whispering-gallery-mode Resonators
Published on: August 5, 2013
Frequency-upconverted whispering-gallery-mode lasing in ZnO hexagonal nanodisks
Chunfeng Zhang1, Fan Zhang, Xiao Wei Sun
1Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Optics Letters
|November 3, 2009
Summary
Researchers achieved low-threshold, frequency-upconverted lasing in hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanodisks. This UV laser emission, powered by two-photon absorption, demonstrates efficient light generation in nanostructures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics and Photonics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures are promising for optoelectronic applications.
- Two-photon absorption (TPA) enables frequency upconversion for light generation.
- Whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) are crucial for microcavity lasers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate low-threshold, frequency-upconverted lasing in hexagonal ZnO nanodisks.
- To explore the potential of TPA in ZnO nanostructures for UV laser emission.
- To analyze the dominant lasing modes in the TPA regime.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hexagonal ZnO nanodisks.
- Near-infrared (NIR) excitation to induce two-photon absorption.
- Optical spectroscopy to measure lasing threshold and linewidth.
- Modal analysis and far-field photoluminescence imaging.
Main Results:
- Observed low-threshold lasing (approx. 1 mJ/cm(2)) in ZnO nanodisks.
- Achieved UV laser emission via frequency upconversion.
- Resolved lasing linewidth of approximately 0.1 nm.
- Identified whispering-gallery modes as dominant in the lasing process.
Conclusions:
- Hexagonal ZnO nanodisks exhibit efficient TPA-based lasing.
- The observed low threshold and narrow linewidth highlight their potential for UV laser applications.
- Whispering-gallery modes play a key role in the microcavity lasing mechanism.
