Self-Assembled π-Conjugated Organic/Polymeric Microresonators and Microlasers

Abstract

Optical microresonators are minute dielectric objects that are utilized as essential components in micrometer-scale light and laser sources, optical integrated circuits, micro-displays, chemo- and biosensors, and so forth. Particularly, microresonators made from organic and polymeric materials find unique applications owing to its structural flexibility, color tunability, and functionality with simple fabrication process, low cost and low energy consumption. In this Account, we highlight our recent progress on the organic/polymeric microresonators made through precisely controlled self-assembly process. The microstructures display novel optical functions such as circularly polarized luminescence emission, lasers, light energy harvesters, optical gate operations, optical memories and authentications, and optical sensing for environmental changes and mechanical forces. Our methodology for the precise design and control of organic and polymeric microstructures, will bridge between nanometer-scale supramolecular chemistry and bulk materials and will pave the way toward flexible optical and laser applications. Precise control of microstructures by self-assembly of π-conjugated organic molecules and polymers offers materials with sophisticated optical functions such as optical resonators and lasers, circularly polarized luminescence emitters, optical logic gate operations, optical memories, and light energy harvesting, which are utilized as optical sensors for environmental changes and mechanical forces.