A low threshold polymer laser based on metallic nanoparticle gratings

Optically pumped lasing is demonstrated in a device consisting of a conjugated polymer on top of a 2D distributed feedback template comprising gold nanodiscs on indium tin oxide (see Figure). Although the nanodiscs are potential dissipative energy absorbers only a marginal increase in lasing threshold is found when compared to conventional dielectric distributed feedback resonators. The inset shows a photograph of the far-field emission above threshold.