Midwavelength Infrared Colloidal Nanowire Laser

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Optics

Background:

• Developing bright colloidal infrared emitters in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) range for applications like LEDs, sensors, and deep-tissue imaging has been a long-standing challenge.
• Existing colloidal nanocrystals have not demonstrated efficient MWIR emission or lasing capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present colloidal tellurium nanowires as a novel material for bright MWIR emission and lasing.
• To explore the nonlinear optical properties of these tellurium nanowires.
• To demonstrate the potential of MWIR lasing from tellurium nanowires in biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of colloidal tellurium nanowires.
• Characterization of their optical emission intensity and spectral properties at room and cryotemperatures.
• Investigation of second-harmonic (1.8 μm) and third-harmonic (1.2 μm) generation.
• In vitro demonstration of MWIR lasing in human neuroblastoma cells.

Main Results:

• Colloidal tellurium nanowires exhibit strong emission intensity at room temperature.
• Lasing at 3.6 μm (ω) was achieved under cryotemperature.
• Efficient second-harmonic (2ω) and third-harmonic (3ω) generation were observed due to the intrinsic properties of tellurium nanowires.
• MWIR lasing was successfully demonstrated within human neuroblastoma cells.

Conclusions:

• Colloidal tellurium nanowires possess unique optical properties, including strong MWIR emission and lasing, not previously reported for tellurium nanocrystals.
• These nanowires hold significant promise for future advancements in biomedical applications such as deep-tissue imaging and thermotherapy.