Solution-processed PbS quantum dot infrared laser with room-temperature tunable emission in the optical telecommunications window
This work reports the first solution processed laser, comprising PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) integrated on a distributed feedback (DFB) cavitiy, with tuneable lasing wavelength from 1.55 μm - 1.65 μm, operating at room temperature and exhibit linewidths as low as ~0.9 meV.
Abstract
Solution processed semiconductor lasers have achieved much success across the nanomaterial research community, including in organic semiconductors<sup>1,2</sup>, perovskites<sup>3,4</sup> and colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals<sup>5,6</sup>. The ease of integration with other photonic components, and the potential for upscaling using emerging large area fabrication technologies, such as roll-to-roll<sup>7</sup>, make these lasers attractive as low-cost photonic light sources that can find use in a variety of applications: integrated photonic circuitry<sup>8,9</sup>, telecommunications<sup>10,11</sup>, chemo-/bio-sensing<sup>12,13</sup>, security<sup>14</sup>, and lab-on-chip experiments<sup>15</sup>. However, for fiber-optic or free-space optical (FPO) communications and eye-safe LIDAR applications, room temperature solution-processed lasers have remained elusive. Here we report the first solution processed laser, comprising PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) integrated on a distributed feedback (DFB) cavitiy, with tuneable lasing wavelength from 1.55 μm - 1.65 μm. These lasers operate at room temperature and exhibit linewidths as low as ~0.9 meV.