Light amplification in a liquid network confined in a porous matrix

Egon Gross; Dmitri Kovalev; Nicolai Kuenzner; Joachim Diener; Frederick Koch; Victor Yu. Timoshenko; Minoru Fujii

doi:10.1117/12.505711

14 November 2003 Light amplification in a liquid network confined in a porous matrix

Egon Gross, Dmitri Kovalev, Nicolai Kuenzner, Joachim Diener, Frederick Koch, Victor Yu. Timoshenko, Minoru Fujii

Proceedings Volume 5222, Nanocrystals, and Organic and Hybrid Nanomaterials; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.505711
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We report on a medium exhibiting extremely efficient light scattering properties: a liquid network formed in a porous matrix. Liquid fragments confined in the solid matrix result in a random fluctuation of the dielectric function and act as scattering objects for photons. The optical scattering efficiency is defined by the filling factor of the liquid in the pores and its dielectric constant. The spectral dependence of the scattering length of photons indicates that the phenomenon is governed by a Mie-type scattering mechanism. The degree of the dielectric disorder of the medium, i.e. the level of opacity is tunable by the ambient vapor pressure of the dielectric substance. In the strongest scattering regime the scattering length of photons is found to be in the micrometer range. By incorporation of dye molecules in the voids of the porous layer a system exhibiting optical gain is realized. In the multiple scattering regime the optical path of diffusively propagating photons is enhanced and light amplification through stimulated emission occurs: a strong intensity enhancement of the dye emission accompanied by significant spectral narrowing is observed above the excitation threshold for a layer being in the opalescence state.

Citation Download Citation

Egon Gross, Dmitri Kovalev, Nicolai Kuenzner, Joachim Diener, Frederick Koch, Victor Yu. Timoshenko, and Minoru Fujii "Light amplification in a liquid network confined in a porous matrix", Proc. SPIE 5222, Nanocrystals, and Organic and Hybrid Nanomaterials, (14 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.505711

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