Tunable WGM Laser Based on the Polymer Thermo-Optic Effect

In this work, the thermo-optic effect in polymers was used to realize a temperature-tunable whispering-gallery-mode laser. The laser was fabricated using a capillary tube filled with a light-emitting conjugated polymer solution via the capillary effect. In the whispering-gallery-mode laser emission wavelength can be continuously tuned to about 19.5 nm using thermo-optic effect of polymer. The influence of different organic solvents on the tuning rate was studied. For a typical lasing mode with a bandwidth of 0.08 nm, a temperature-resolved tuning rate of similar to 1.55 nm/degrees C was obtained. The two-ring coupling effect is responsible for the suppression of the WGM in the micro-cavity laser. The proposed laser exhibited good reversibility and repeatability as well as a sensitive response to temperature, which could be applied to the design of photothermic and sensing devices.

Automated summary

In this study, a temperature-tunable whispering-gallery-mode laser was achieved using the thermo-optic effect in polymers. The laser demonstrated continuous tuning of emission wavelength by approximately 19.5 nm, with a sensitive response to temperature. The laser also showed good reversibility and repeatability, making it a potential candidate for the design of photothermic and sensing devices.