Conjugated polymers: lasing and stimulated emission

The discovery of gain narrowing in electroluminescent conjugated polymers has launched a new field of research aiming towards polymer-based injection lasers. Especially poly(para-phenylene vinylene)- (PPV) and poly(para-phenylene)- (PPP) -type polymers have been applied as active materials. Time-resolved measurements have unravelled the photophysics for low and high excitation levels. If suited resonator configurations of the device are used (e.g. microcavity, microring, microdisc, distributed feedback and distributed Bragg resonators) optically pumped single mode laser emission can be observed for moderate excitation levels. These results represent an important step towards the realisation of future ‘all-plastics’ injection lasers. Conjugated polymer laser devices might lead to novel applications in measurement instrumentation and information technology which rely on large area emitters and geometries not accessible to conventional inorganic laser materials.