Transform-Limited, Narrow-Linewidth Lasing Action in Organic Semiconductor Microcavities

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Abstract
Lasing action in organic vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (OVCSEL) structures is demonstrated. Optically pumped OVCSELs with an active layer composed of a thin-film organic semiconductor tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3) doped with DCM laser dye produced very narrow linewidth (0.2 ± 0.1 angstrom), high-power (3 watts) emission that could be varied in different devices from orange to red. The efficient energy transfer from Alq3 to DCM results in a threshold input energy of 300 microjoules per square centimeter. An operational lifetime >106 laser pulses was achieved for a device operated well above threshold in atmosphere. The linewidths above threshold are Fourier transform–limited and could potentially be narrowed further.