Solution-processed PbS quantum dot infrared laser with room-temperature tunable emission in the optical telecommunications window

Solution-processed infrared lasers that operate at room temperature are a challenge, but now researchers have achieved such a device using colloidal quantum dots. Solution-processed semiconductor lasers have achieved much success across the nanomaterial research community, including in relation to organic semiconductors(1,2), perovskites(3,4) and colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals(5,6). The ease of integration with other photonic components and the potential for upscaling using emerging large-area fabrication technologies (such as roll-to-roll(7)) make these lasers attractive as low-cost photonic light sources that can find use in a variety of applications, including integrated photonic circuitry(8,9), telecommunications(10,11), chemo-/bio-sensing(12,13), security(14) and lab-on-chip experiments(15). However, for fibre-optic or free-space optical communications and eye-safe LIDAR applications, room-temperature solution-processed lasers have remained elusive. Here, we report a solution-processed laser comprising PbS colloidal quantum dots integrated on a distributed feedback cavity, with tunable lasing wavelength from 1.55 mu m to 1.65 mu m. These lasers operate at room temperature and exhibit linewidths as low as similar to 0.9 meV.

Automated summary

Researchers have successfully achieved a solution-processed infrared laser that operates at room temperature using colloidal quantum dots, with tunable wavelength and low linewidth. These lasers have advantages such as high integration capability and low cost, making them suitable for various applications.