Flexible and ultra-lightweight polymer membrane lasers

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Organic semiconductors allow for flexible electronic devices.
• Existing organic semiconductor lasers are typically rigid due to substrate requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create substrate-less, flexible organic distributed feedback lasers.
• To demonstrate the potential of these lasers for security features and wearable technology.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of membrane-based, substrate-less organic distributed feedback lasers.
• Characterization of laser properties including weight, flexibility, and lasing spectrum.
• Demonstration of laser transfer onto various substrates and integration into wearable devices.

Main Results:

• Achieved extremely thin (<500 nm) organic lasers with ultralow weight (<0.5 gm⁻²).
• Demonstrated successful operation as free-standing membranes and transfer onto substrates like banknotes.
• Confirmed ocular safety and showed potential for integration onto contact lenses as security tags.

Conclusions:

• Substrate-less organic distributed feedback lasers offer exceptional flexibility and low weight.
• These lasers can be utilized as unique, readable security features.
• Integration into wearable devices like contact lenses is feasible for security applications.