Dual-Wavelength Lasing in Quantum-Dot Plasmonic Lattice Lasers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics and Photonics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Plasmonic lasers are crucial for on-chip optical applications.
• Previous designs relied on organic dyes and offered single-wavelength output.
• Metallic particle arrays on substrates are a key component in plasmonic laser design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a flexible template-based fabrication method for silver (Ag) particle-array lasers.
• To integrate colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as a gain material for improved photostability and tunability.
• To demonstrate tunable single and dual-wavelength lasing capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Ag particle arrays using a flexible template method.
• Integration of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as the gain medium.
• Adjustment of substrate refractive index and QD-film thickness.
• Utilizing rectangular lattice symmetries and higher-order transverse waveguide modes for dual-wavelength emission.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a flexible fabrication approach for Ag particle-array lasers.
• Successfully replaced organic dyes with photostable and tunable colloidal QDs.
• Achieved single-wavelength lasing and two distinct strategies for dual-wavelength lasing.
• Demonstrated wavelength selection using a linear polarizer and angle-dependent emission.

Conclusions:

• The developed fabrication method broadens the design space for plasmonic lasers.
• The use of QDs enhances laser performance and tunability.
• The demonstrated dual-wavelength lasing strategies offer versatile control over laser output for advanced photonic integrated circuits.