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All-optical guided-wave random laser in nematic liquid crystals
Optics Express
|April 7, 2017
Summary
Spatial solitons enhance random lasing in dye-doped liquid crystals. This light-controlled laser offers a new route for manipulating random laser output by guiding photons and modulating spectral width.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear Optics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Random lasing exhibits unique spectral properties but lacks precise control.
- Spatial solitons are self-trapping light beams that can create optical waveguides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of spatial solitons on random lasing in liquid crystals.
- To explore the potential for light-controlled random lasers.
Main Methods:
- Optically-pumped dye-doped nematic liquid crystals were used.
- Two collinear laser beams were launched: one for pumping, one for soliton induction.
- Input/output characteristics and spectral properties were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Spatial solitons guided emitted photons and enhanced lasing efficiency.
- Solitons modulated the spectral width and selected lasing modes.
- Observed kinks in input/output curves confirmed mode selection.
Conclusions:
- Spatial solitons effectively control random lasing without interacting with gain molecules.
- This work demonstrates a novel approach to light-controlled random lasers.