Electrically color-tunable defect mode lasing in one-dimensional photonic-band-gap system containing liquid crystal

Electrical tuning of the wavelength of the defect-mode lasing in a one-dimensional periodic structure has been demonstrated using a dye-doped nematic liquid crystal as a defect layer in the periodic structure. Lasing wavelength is widely tuned upon applying an electric field, which is due to the refractive index change in the defect layer caused by the field-induced realignment of the liquid crystal molecules. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.