A plasmonic random laser tunable through stretching silver nanowires embedded in a flexible substrate

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Random lasers offer unique light emission properties.
• Plasmonic structures enhance light-matter interactions.
• Developing tunable and flexible laser sources is a key research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a mechanically tunable random laser.
• To explore a waveguide-plasmonic scheme for laser fabrication.
• To understand the tuning mechanisms in flexible plasmonic random lasers.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a random laser by spin coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with rhodamine 6G and silver nanowires onto a silicone rubber slab.
• Mechanical stretching of the silicone rubber substrate to induce reorientation and breakage of silver nanowires.
• Characterization of laser wavelength tuning and polarization state changes upon mechanical deformation.

Main Results:

• Achieved a low threshold and tunable random laser emission.
• Demonstrated wavelength tuning from 558 nm to 565 nm by stretching the substrate.
• Observed a transition from random to partial polarization with stretching, with stable laser performance after deformation cycles.

Conclusions:

• Successfully realized an ultrathin, flexible plasmonic random laser with mechanical tunability.
• The study provides insights into the 3D plasmonic feedback mechanisms in such lasers.
• The developed method offers a pathway for creating adaptable and reconfigurable laser devices.