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Direct laser writing for nanoporous liquid core laser sensors
Tobias Grossmann1, Mads Brøkner Christiansen, Jeffrey Peterson
1Institute of Applied Physics and DFG Center for Functional Nanostructures CFN, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology KIT, 76128 Karlsruhe, Germany. tobias.grossmann@kit.edu
Optics Express
|October 6, 2012
Summary
We developed novel nanoporous liquid core lasers using direct laser writing. These lasers offer enhanced sensitivity for detecting changes in refractive index, outperforming traditional sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics and Photonics
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Nanoporous materials offer unique optical properties.
- Liquid core lasers provide tunable gain media.
- Direct laser writing enables precise microfabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate nanoporous liquid core lasers.
- To investigate their performance as refractive index sensors.
- To compare their sensitivity with solid-state sensors.
Main Methods:
- Direct laser writing utilizing two-photon absorption.
- Thiolene-based photopolymerization for matrix formation.
- Embedding Rhodamine 6G as the gain medium in a polybutadiene matrix.
Main Results:
- Achieved lasing devices with a threshold of 19 µJ/mm².
- Measured a bulk refractive index sensitivity of 169 nm/RIU.
- Observed enhanced mode overlap with the analyte compared to solid-state sensors.
Conclusions:
- Successful fabrication of nanoporous liquid core lasers.
- Demonstrated high refractive index sensitivity for sensing applications.
- Potential for improved performance in evanescent wave sensing.
