DNA Self-Switchable Microlaser.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Switchable microlasers are crucial for integrated photonics and controlling light-matter interactions.
• Stimuli-responsive biointerfaces offer advanced functionalities for nanoscale optical tailoring.
• Biological recognition for laser emission switching, especially with reversibility and broad spectral tunability, remains an underexplored area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a self-switchable laser utilizing a biointerface for biological recognition-based control.
• To achieve reversible and broadly tunable laser emission by exploiting DNA conformation changes.
• To explore the potential of biomolecules in developing programmable photonic devices.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a Fabry-Perot microcavity incorporating a dye-doped liquid crystal matrix.
• Integration of label-free DNA molecules at the biointerface to act as a switching mechanism.
• Utilizing DNA conformation changes induced by varying concentrations to alter liquid crystal orientation and control laser emission.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated laser emission switching among different wavelengths triggered by DNA conformation changes.
• Observed distinct temporal switching patterns of lasing wavelengths and intensities based on single-stranded DNA concentration.
• Achieved reversibility of lasing wavelength through DNA hybridization with complementary sequences.

Conclusions:

• The study presents a milestone in biologically controlled lasers, leveraging DNA-liquid crystal biointerfaces.
• DNA conformation changes effectively control laser emission switching and wavelength tuning.
• This work opens avenues for sub-nanoscale programmable photonic devices utilizing biomolecular self-recognition.