Low-cost fabrication of microlasers based on polymeric micropedestals.

Abstract

Our current work exploits direct laser writing (DLW) and low one-photon absorption (LOPA) in a low-cost three-dimensional optical fabrication system designed to print micrometric polymeric structures. Micropedestals were obtained by focusing a laser beam on a photoresist layer deposited on a silica glass substrate. Subsequent coating with rhodamine 6G dye allows these pedestals to function as microlasers upon optical excitation at 532 nm. Our microlasers, with a diameter of ∼53µm and a height of ∼40µm, exhibit a broad fluorescence peak in the spectral range 540-600 nm, in addition to narrow lasing peaks, exhibiting quality factors Q exceeding 2000 and a lasing threshold of ∼5µJcm-2. The observed free spectral range associated with the lasing peaks of ∼1.3nm is consistent with simulations, which we include in this paper. In addition, we present simulations for the longitudinal shift of the patterning laser spot, which occurs particularly for relatively thick photoresist layers, coupled with a large index contrast at the photoresist top surface. Such a shift could introduce errors in the resulting microfabricated structures if left unaccounted for. We hope that our work will contribute to the development of microlasers for various photonic applications, particularly if dimensions can be reduced, for on-chip optical communications and data processing.