Laser action in Tb(OH)3/SiO2 photonic crystals

Photonic crystals of Tb(OH)(3)/SiO2 core/shell nanospheres with different periodicities were used as a resonant cavity to explore laser action. By changing the particle size, the optical stop band of the photonic crystals can be tuned to coincide with the multiple emission bands of terbium ions. An overlap of the stop band on the multiple emissions of the active materials embedded inside the photonic crystals offered a good chance for resonance. Lasing emissions arising from terbium ions occurred near the band edge of the PCs were demonstrated. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America