Dynamic lasing from all-organic two-dimensional photonic crystals

Optically pumped lasing of pyrromethene 597 in 2D columnar photonic crystals (PCs) derived from holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (LCs, see Figure) exhibit resolution-limited linewidths of 1.9 nm and thresholds of less than 200 mu J cm(-2). Electric field modulation of the LC directors allows tuning of the laser mode over 5 nm. Use of PC properties that go beyond those associated with the photonic bandgap may lead to organic-based PCs for linear/nonlinear nanophotonics.