G. Heliotis

Light amplification and gain in polyfluorene waveguides

We report a study of the properties of the semiconducting polymer poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) as a gain medium. We demonstrate amplification of blue light via amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) measurements on optically pumped PFO planar asymmetric waveguides. We show that the ASE wavelength can be tuned over a range of 20 nm by altering the supported waveguide modes. Gain/loss measurements at the peak ASE wavelength (466 nm) show that the waveguides can exhibit a large net gain of up to 74 cm−1 and have a very low loss coefficient ∼3 cm−1. These characteristics make PFO attractive as a high gain medium for short-wavelength lasers and optical amplifiers.

Fluorene-based polymer gain media for solid-state laser emission across the full visible spectrum

We report a study of the optical gain properties of three polyfluorenes with chemically tuned emission characteristics that span 400–800 nm. We demonstrate low threshold light amplification in the blue, green, and red spectral ranges via amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) in optically pumped planar asymmetric waveguides. Gain and loss measurements at the peak ASE wavelengths show large net gains, 22⩽g⩽66 cm−1, and low losses, 15⩾α⩾3 cm−1. Our findings establish fluorene-based polymers as an attractive family of materials for use in tuneable solid-state lasers that emit at wavelengths across the whole visible spectrum.

Blue, surface-emitting, distributed feedback polyfluorene lasers

We report the fabrication of optically-pumped solid-state distributed feedback lasers utilizing two blue-light-emitting semiconducting polyfluorenes as gain media. The lasers were readily fabricated by solution deposition of thin polymer films on top of gratings etched into fused silica substrates. A compact Nd:YVO4 microchip laser was used as the pump source for the two polymers studied, and lasing was achieved at 455 and 465 nm. Low threshold energies, ⩾4 nJ per pulse, were obtained. The emission characteristics of the lasers are described along with the results of additional experiments that investigate in more detail the effect of the grating microstructure on polymer light emission.

Two-dimensional distributed feedback lasers using a broadband, red polyfluorene gain medium

We report the fabrication of widely tuneable (627–702nm) optically pumped two-dimensional distributed feedback polymer lasers that utilize a red-emission fluorene copolymer as the active gain medium. The lasers exhibit efficient, low threshold operation and emit highly directional output beams as a result of the enhanced two-dimensional photonic confinement provided by the employed resonator. Their emission and operating characteristics are described in detail. We demonstrate that the very wide spectral range (Δλ⩾75nm) over which these lasers can be systematically tuned is in very good agreement with theoretical predictions based on a simple waveguide model. In addition, we show that the lasers have long operating lifetimes τ1∕2⩾2×107 pulses and we discuss the impact that degradation has on the laser output characteristics.

Improved organic semiconductor lasers based on a mixed-order distributed feedback resonator design

The authors present organic semiconductor distributed feedback lasers based on thin films of the conjugated polymer poly[9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-9,9-di(4-methoxy-phenyl)fluorene] and employing an improved resonator design. In order to combine the advantages of first- and second-order distributed feedback resonators, the authors utilize a mixed-order grating design: A second-order Bragg scattering region that provides efficient vertical outcoupling of the laser radiation is surrounded by first-order scattering regions that give rise to strong feedback. By optimizing the film thickness to obtain laser oscillation at the polymer maximum gain wavelength, a very low laser threshold of 45pJ∕pulse (≈36nJ∕cm2) was realized with this resonator concept.

Low threshold blue conjugated polymer lasers with first- and second-order distributed feedback

We report on the fabrication of low threshold distributed feedback (DFB) polymer lasers based on a polyfluorene derivative containing statistical binaphthyl units (BN-PFO). First- and second-order feedback lasers have been realized. The emission was tuned in the wavelength range from 438to459nm by varying the grating period and the film thickness. A threshold energy of 280pJ/pulse was observed in second-order DFB structures, which could be further reduced to 160pJ/pulse by employing first-order feedback in electron beam lithographically patterned structures with a period of 140nm. In these first-order structures, laser oscillation at both edges of the photonic stop band was observed. These very low threshold values render BN-PFO a very promising material for future electrically pumped organic semiconductor laser diodes.

Polyfluorene distributed feedback lasers operating in the green-yellow spectral region

We report solid-state, optically pumped poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT), distributed feedback lasers that operate in the green-yellow spectral region, previously unaddressed with conjugated polymer gain media. The lasers were fabricated by spin coating F8BT (the gain medium) onto one-dimensional gratings patterned in silica substrates. The emission wavelength could be selected to lie within the range from 558 to 591 nm by controlling the F8BT film thickness and grating periodicity. The minimum lasing threshold of 6.5 nJ per pump pulse (10 ns, 10 Hz, 450 nm) was achieved for a 350 nm spatial period grating with a 180 nm thickness F8BT film. The corresponding emission wavelength was 573 nm and the laser slope efficiency was a relatively high 3%.

Spectral conversion of InGaN ultraviolet microarray light-emitting diodes using fluorene-based red-, green-, blue-, and white-light-emitting polymer overlayer films

We report the fabrication of hybrid organic/inorganic semiconductor light-emitting devices that operate across the entire visible spectrum. The devices are based on a series of blue-, green-, and red-light-emitting polyfluorene materials that convert the emission from an array of micron-sized ultraviolet InGaN light-emitting diodes. We also demonstrate white-light-emitting versions of these hybrid devices by employing single films of carefully adjusted polyfluorene blends in which cascade energy transfer occurs between the constituent materials. The spectral and operating characteristics of the devices are described in detail. Such organic emission layer/inorganic light-emitting diode (LED) array based devices may provide a promising route to the fabrication of low-cost full-color microdisplays and other instrumentation devices.

New light from hybrid inorganic-organic emitters

We present the highlights of a research programme on hybrid inorganic?organic light emitters. These devices combine recent developments in III?V nitride technology (including UV emitting micro-arrays and specifically tailored quantum wells) with conjugated polymers to access the entire visible spectrum. Two types of devices are studied, those based on down conversion of the quantum well emission by radiative transfer and those based on non-radiative resonant energy transfer. The spectral and operating characteristics of the devices are described in detail. Selectable colour micro-arrays and bar emitters are demonstrated. The nature of the non-radiative energy transfer process has also been studied and we find transfer efficiencies of up to 43% at 15?K, with a 1/R2 dependence on the distance between quantum well and polymer layer, suggesting a plane?plane interaction. The relative importance of the non-radiative resonant energy transfer process increases with temperature to be up to 20 times more efficient, at 300?K, than the radiative transfer process.

Characterization of a high-thermal-stability spiroanthracenefluorene-based blue-light-emitting polymer optical gain medium

We report the solid-state optical gain characteristics of a spiroanthracenefluorene polymer, namely, poly(9-spiro(10,10-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-10H-anthracene)fluorene) (PEHSAF), specifically designed for thermal stability. An efficient stimulated emission occurs at λ=445nm under amplified spontaneous emission conditions for asymmetric slab waveguide structures. The modal gain and propagation loss coefficients were found to be g⩽38cm−1 and α=0.8cm−1, respectively. The PEHSAF stimulated emission characteristics are shown to be thermally stable in vacuo for temperatures up to 250 °C. Surface-emitting distributed feedback lasers have been fabricated by spin-coating PEHSAF onto one-dimensional grating structures. The lasers operate in the blue spectral region and exhibit low oscillation thresholds (⩾18nJ) and relatively high slope efficiencies (⩽5%). Varying the PEHSAF film thickness allows the tuning of the emission wavelength within a 16 nm window.