Second-order distributed feedback polymer laser based on holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal grating

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a second-order distributed feedback (DFB) polymer laser based on a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) transmission grating. The fine organic grating is fabricated on top of the homogeneous conjugated polymer layer in a one-step process. The device shows surface-emitting, single mode laser emission with a threshold of 13.3 μJ/cm², and the working characteristics merely degrade after 10 months of storage in ambient atmosphere. We further explain the dependence of threshold on pumping length, and demonstrate the small refractive index modulation of this all-organic grating is sufficient to maintain efficient DFB laser action. This simple working structure, combined with large processing area provided by the holographic polymerization technique, is extremely promising in realizing ultra-low cost plastic lasers.