Tunable, gap-state lasing in switchable directions for opal photonic crystals

Abstract

A photonic crystal laser that is tunable throughout the visible in three-dimensionally switchable directions is demonstrated. This photo-pumped laser utilizes a dye-infiltrated, single-crystal SiO2 opal having incomplete bandgaps. Our results support a gap-state-enhanced distributed feedback mechanism for lasing. Three different types of wavelength tunability are demonstrated, each applicable over a different frequency range and involving either single or multiple bandgaps. The many independent laser cavities that exist in one photonic crystal are demonstrated by simultaneously obtaining lasing in various colors and directions from an opal crystal. The observation of characteristic laser emission lines provides a new spectroscopy for characterizing intra-gap photonic states, which may be useful for developing the photonic crystal analogues of electronic circuitry.