Inspired by nature, scientists have developed a new type of nano-laser that can change color using the same nanomechanics as chameleons.
Chameleons change color by controlling the spacing of the nanocrystals on their skin. This new type of nanolaser achieves a color change in a similar manner by controlling the periodic distribution of metal nanoparticles on the stretchable polymer matrix. The stretchable polymer matrix can increase the distance between the nanoparticles by stretching, or shorten the distance between them by shrinking, thereby changing the wavelength of the laser, thereby changing the color of the light emitted by the laser pointer.
Teri W. Odom, a professor at Northwestern University in the United States, said: "Therefore, by stretching and releasing the elastic substrate, we can choose the color of the emitted light at will."
Nanolasers can maintain high mode quality by mixing the quadrupole plasmonics with this optical feedback mechanism. By increasing the size of the metal nanoparticles in the array, researchers at Northwestern University introduced high-resolution screen lattice plasmon resonance, which has a planar charge oscillation that resists lateral strain.
The researchers performed a semi-quantitative simulation to demonstrate the laser pointer aggregation at the mixed quadrupole electromagnetic hotspot to achieve mechanical modulation of the nanoscale photon interaction. By aligning the metal nanoparticles onto an elastic plate surrounded by liquid gain, the researchers achieved reversible, tunable nanolaser with high strain sensitivity.
The color-changing capabilities of nanolasers and other capabilities can further advance the development of technologies that support flexible optical displays for smart phones and televisions, wearable photonic devices, and ultra-sensitive sensors that measure strain. The research results were published in "Nano Letters".