Tunable Microfluidic Microlasers

摘要

According to the lines of the proposed activity we have completed the following tasks: a) recording and characterization of holographic gratings in different polymeric materials and their integration in optofluidic circuits; b) investigation of liquid crystals alignment under microfluidic conditions; c) design and test of laser geometries and demonstration of laser emission. The objective of getting laser tuning by exploiting the orientational properties of liquid crystal in microfluidic condition has not been achieved yet. Main issues which will be addressed in the continuation of the research activity with support of the University funds are: a) to improve the technology related to realization of microfluidic channels and their integration with holographic gratings in order to optimize laser action by reducing the emission threshold; b) to develop suitable dye-liquid crystal mixtures to be used as laser materials in the optofluidic lasers; c) to characterize laser emission by these lasers in order to get tuning by changing the flowing conditions; d) to modify the realized structures in order to allow application of electric field able to reorient liquid crystal for tuning purpose.