High efficiency liquid crystal lasers giving "white light" emission from arrays and flexible substrates

Stephen M. Morris; Harry J. Coles

doi:10.1117/12.881792

19 March 2011 High efficiency liquid crystal lasers giving "white light" emission from arrays and flexible substrates

Stephen M. Morris, Harry J. Coles

Proceedings Volume 7955, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies VI; 79550D (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.881792
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The self-organization of the helical structure of chiral nematic liquid crystals combined with their sensitivity to electric fields makes them particularly interesting for low-threshold, wavelength tunable laser devices. We have studied these organic lasers in detail, ranging from the influence specific macroscopic properties, such as birefringence and order parameter, have on the output characteristics, to practical systems in the form of two-dimensional arrays, double-pass geometries and paintable lasers. Furthermore, even though chiral nematics are responsive to electric fields there is no facile means by which the helix periodicity can be adjusted, thereby allowing laser wavelength tuning, without adversely affecting the optical quality of the resonator. Therefore, in addition to studying the liquid crystal lasers, we have focused on finding a novel method with which to alter the periodicity of a chiral nematic using electric fields without inducing defects and degrading the optical quality factor of the resonator. This paper presents an overview of our research, describing (i) the correlation between laser output and material properties,(ii) the importance of the gain medium,(iii) multicolor laser arrays, and (iv) high slope efficiency (>60%) silicon back-plane devices. Overall we conclude that these materials have great potential for use in versatile organic laser systems.

Citation Download Citation

Stephen M. Morris and Harry J. Coles "High efficiency liquid crystal lasers giving "white light" emission from arrays and flexible substrates", Proc. SPIE 7955, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies VI, 79550D (19 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.881792

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available