Simple fabrication of an organic laser by microcontact molding of a distributed feedback grating

Lasing from an organic polymer is demonstrated in a device utilizing a distributed feedback (DFB) grating, manufactured by microcontact molding of CdSe nanocrystals (NCs) directly on top of the emitter layer. Besides the simpler fabrication in comparison with a reference device based on a photolithographically prepared DFB grating in a bottom dielectric layer, a much higher DFB strength for NC-gratings is observed, resulting in reduced lasing threshold and a fourfold differential lasing efficiency.