Organic Microlaser Arrays: From Materials Engineering to Optoelectronic Applications

Abstract

ConspectusIn the past decade, micro/nanoscale lasers have captured broad research interest for their feasibility in advancing the fields of photonics and optoelectronics. Owing to ease of spectral and chemical tuning, convenient processing techniques, low threshold, and mechanical flexibilities, organic microlasers are promising candidates for novel devices that meet the developing trends of the field toward miniaturization, portability, and highly integration. To unleash the full potential for future integrated optoelectronics, organic microlaser arrays with specific functionalities and controllable alignment are on urgent demand. In recent years, ever-increasing efforts have been concentrated on the preparation and optoelectronic applications of organic microlaser arrays, which significantly expands the capabilities and improves the performance of organic microlasers. Therefore, it is of great importance to summarize this flourishing research area and give a deep understanding on the structure–function relationship and application-oriented fabrication strategies of organic microlaser arrays, which will be instructive for future development.In this Account, we systematically review recent progress in the field of organic microlaser arrays, with emphasis on the rational materials engineering as well as controlled patterning techniques toward integrated optoelectronic applications. Owing to excellent versatility and compatibility, organic materials are beneficial for the construction of microlasers with specific properties, such as tunable wavelength, switchable output among several wavelengths, and controllable lasing mode, which are of great significance to reliable applications in the field of information. A series of patterning techniques, including inkjet printing, template-assisted patterning, screen printing, and so on, have been applied to such functionalized organic microlasers to realize array configuration of multifunctionality and large-scale integration. The novel applications of the organic microlaser arrays are also presented, in particular, for photonic circuits, laser displays, and information encryption. Finally, future perspectives and challenges for assembled organic microlasers and arrays toward practical applications are provided to give an outlook of this emerging field. We anticipate that this Account will promote the development of organic microlasers with desired performance toward robust integrated optoelectronic applications.