Organic semiconductor lasers

Details Organic semiconductor lasers Organic semiconductor lasers

1998-05-07

2001-12-11

Davie, James W. (Department: 2881)

Coherent light generators

Particular active media

C372S053000, C372S070000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06330262

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of light emitting devices, in particular, to organic semiconductor lasers.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Interest in organic semiconducting materials driven by the potential application of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) for full color flat panel displays has led to significant progress in polymer and small molecular weight organic semiconductors. Furthermore, the recent demonstration of lasing action in optically pumped films of small molecular weight organic semiconductors, and the observation of optical gain in conjugated polymers have presented the possibility for realizing electrically-pumped laser devices based on these materials. Unique electronic and optical properties of organic semiconductors make such laser sources a potential alternative to inorganic semiconductor lasers.
Although progress has been made in the field of organic semiconductor lasers (OSLs) based on materials such as tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq
3
) doped with DCM laser dye for red laser emission (for example, as described in U.S. Ser. No. 05/859,468, filed May 19, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,902 which is incorporated herein by reference), there is still a need for materials for the more efficient and reliable laser emission of colors other than red. For example, the prior art does not offer reliable laser diodes operating in the blue, green and yellow spectral ranges.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to organic thin film lasers with high efficiency and very low threshold lasing. Both optically- and electrically-pumped embodiments are disclosed. The lasers of the present invention make use of novel laser materials for the efficient lasing of various colors.
The lasers of the present invention general comprise a substrate and a layer of organic material over the substrate. The organic material includes host and dopant materials that together result in the laser emission of a desired color when pumped by any means, such as by optical or electrical energy.
In some of the embodiments of the present invention, the host material of the organic material comprises carbazole biphenyl (“CBP”). In such embodiments, various dopant materials are used for the lasing of corresponding colors. In one such embodiment, the dopant is coumarin-47, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 460 nm. In another such embodiment, the dopant is perylene, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 485 nm. In yet another such embodiment, the dopant is coumarin-30, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 510 nm.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the host material of the organic materials comprises tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum. In one such embodiment, the dopant is rhodamine-6G, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 610-625 nm. In another such embodiment, the dopant is DCM, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 615-660 nm. In another such embodiment, the dopant is DCM2, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 655-700 nm. In yet another such embodiment, the dopant is pyrromethane-546, resulting in a lasing wavelength of approximately 560 nm.


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