Phys.org February 10, 2023
Lasers made solely from liquids are promising toward flexible lasers, but they are intrinsically unstable and have been inapplicable to steady operation under ambient conditions unless they are enclosed in a tailored container or a matrix to prevent the evaporation of the liquid. To simulate the near-perfect water droplets that form on the lotus leaves and roll off, an international team of researchers (Japan, Germany) mixed 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF4) with a dye that allowed it to become a laser. The droplets were highly robust and worked as efficient long-lasting laser oscillators. The lasing wavelength was sensitively shifted when the droplets were subjected to a faint breeze or moisture, which was associated with the deformation of the droplet. The morphological and optical responses of the droplet under gas convection were consistently supported by aerodynamic and electromagnetic simulations. The droplets are readily scalable with an inkjet printer without the need for any further treatments. According to the researchers the production is highly scalable and easy to perform, so that it can be readily applied to manufacture inexpensive sensor or optical communication devices. The research may lead to new airflow detectors or less expensive fiber-optics communications… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
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