Tunable random laser in flexible hydrogel

We have demonstrated a low threshold and tunable flexible random laser (RL) in dye-doped poly ethylene glycol diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel, which was prepared by crosslinking polymerization using PEG-DA monomer and photoinitiator. The random lasering is attributed to the light scattering from the porous structure of hydrogels, and the wavelength of random lasing can be tuned by similar to 3.2 nm in the temperature range from 30 degrees C to 70 degrees C. Under the continuous increasing and decreasing temperature cycle, the random lasing tunable phenomenon can still be observed, which proves that this flexible material can be used as a new temperature sensor. In addition, we also explored the application of flexible laser in phototherapy. Considering the good elasticity and transparency of hydrogels, this thermo-responsive property will be of great significance to the biomedical applications of flexible material.

Automated summary

A low threshold, tunable, flexible random laser was demonstrated using dye-doped PEG-DA hydrogel, allowing for a wavelength tunability range of approximately 3.2 nm within a temperature range of 30 to 70 degrees Celsius. The material's thermoresponsive properties make it suitable for applications in biomedical fields, with potential for use as a temperature sensor.