Hybridized/coupled multiple resonances in nacre

We report that nacre (also known as mother-of-pearl), a wondrous nanocomposite found in nature, is a rich photonic nanomaterial allowing the experimental realization of collective excitation and light amplification via coupled states. Localized modes in three-dimensional complex media are typically isolated in frequency and space. However, multiple local resonances can be hybridized in multilayered nanostructures of nacre so that the effective cavity size for efficient disordered resonators is scaled up. Localized modes in hybridized states in nacre are overlapped in frequency with similar shapes in space, thus being collectively excited and synergistically amplified. These hybridized states boost light amplification, leading to stable and regular multimode lasing at low excitation energy. The simplicity of ameliorating disordered resonators by mimicking nacre can further serve as platforms for developing cost-effective photonic systems and provide materials for fundamental research on complex media.