Laser action in a surface-structured free-standing membrane based on a π-conjugated polymer-composite

A free-standing organic composite membrane distributed feedback (DFB) laser template-patterned by a commercially-available blank digital versatile disk (DVD) is demonstrated. This laser operates at room-temperature and ambient atmosphere and is based on a specifically designed composite incorporating a recently introduced organic semiconductor polymer system, green light-emitting π-conjugated poly[2,5-bis(2′,5′-bis(2″-ethylhexyloxy)phenyl)-p-phenylene vinylene] (BBEHP-PPV), as the gain element. This flexible organic membrane laser oscillates around 521 nm above a 1.1 mJ/cm2 threshold. Optical gain characteristics of the composite material are also reported. The approach represents a step towards viable low-cost, even ‘disposable’ organic solid-state lasers.