Microchip Random Laser based on a disordered TiO2-nanomembranes arrangement

We developed a new scheme for obtaining coherent random lasing based on a chip consisting of a polymer film doped with Rhodamine 6G, having as scatterers butterfly-like TiO2 nanomembranes (TiO2-NM) supported on a glass substrate. The feedback mechanism for laser action is due to the multiple scattering of light by TiO2-NM rather than provided by localized variations of the refractive index in the polymer film. The above-threshold multiple spikes signature indicative of random laser emission with coherent feedback is confirmed. As nanomembranes are foreseen as new MEMS/NEMS building blocks, a new generation of combined active/passive photonic devices can be envisaged. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America