Whispering-gallery-mode microlaser based on self-assembled organic single-crystalline hexagonal microdisks

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Semiconductor microdisk resonators are crucial for microlasers but demand complex fabrication.
• Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) resonators are key to achieving low-threshold and narrow-linewidth microlasers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore organic single-crystalline hexagonal microdisks (HMDs) as WGM microresonators.
• To demonstrate lasing capabilities in self-assembled DSB HMDs.
• To assess the potential of bottom-up fabricated organic microdisks for photonic integration.

Main Methods:

• Solution-based self-assembly of p-distyrylbenzene (DSB) to form hexagonal microdisks.
• Characterization of HMDs as WGM microresonators.
• Experimental demonstration of multiple- and single-mode lasing in DSB HMDs of varying sizes.

Main Results:

• Organic DSB HMDs achieved a cavity quality factor (Q) of 210.
• Successful lasing was observed in DSB HMDs with edge lengths of 4.3 μm (multiple-mode) and 1.2 μm (single-mode).
• The bottom-up self-assembly approach bypasses the need for sophisticated top-down processing.

Conclusions:

• Self-assembled organic HMDs are viable WGM microresonators.
• These organic microdisks demonstrate efficient lasing, suitable for low-threshold applications.
• The bottom-up fabrication method presents a promising route for integrating organic microlasers into photonic circuits.