A blue emitting polymeric laser: spectral and temporal characterization

Summary form only given. Much efforts have been spent in the development of lasers based on conjugated polymers, due to their tunability in the visible region and low fabrication costs. The interest in such devices strongly relies on the availability of efficient pumping schemes and coupling geometries. Laser action in optically pumped polymers has been observed in planar and ring geometry, distributed feedback resonators and external resonators. Methyl-substituted poly-(para-phenylene)-type ladder polymer (m-LPPP) is an interesting choice as active laser medium owing to the presence of stimulated emission in the blue region (480-520 nm), where the lack of inorganic emitting materials is particularly felt. In the work we report on the m-LPPP laser emission at 490 nm from a stable optically pumped external resonator. The emission shows a distinct pump threshold and a good directionality.