Surface-emitting fiber lasers.
All fiber lasers to date emit radiation only along the fiber axis. Here a fiber that exhibits laser emission that is radially directed from its circumferential surface is demonstrated. A unique and controlled azimuthally anisotropic optical wave front results from the interplay between a cylindrical photonic bandgap fiber resonator, anisotropic organic dye gain, and a linearly polarized axial pump. Low threshold (86nJ) lasing at nine different wavelengths is demonstrated throughout the visible and near-infrared spectra. We also report the experimental realization of unprecedented layer thicknesses of 29.5 nm maintained throughout meter-long fibers. Such a device may have interesting medical applications ranging from photodynamic therapy to in vivo molecular imaging, as well as textile fabric displays.
Shapira
Ofer
O
Kuriki
Ken
K
Orf
Nicholas D
ND
Abouraddy
Ayman F
AF
Benoit
Gilles
G
Viens
Jean F
JF
Rodriguez
Alejandro
A
Ibanescu
Mihai
M
Joannopoulos
John D
JD
Fink
Yoel
Y
Brewster
Megan M
MM