Plasmonically enhanced random lasing emission based on Ag scattered nanofiber networks

Fiber-based photonic nanostructures with potential employment in nano/microscale optical devices are attracting a growing interest. In this work, we report on the emission features of polymer fibers made of 4(di-cyanomethy-lene)-2-tert-butyl-6(1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl)4H-pyran (DCJTB) doped polyvinyl pyrrolidone(PVP) with diameters in the range of 1.5-2 mu m, realized by electrospinning method. In the fibers, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are introduced as scatters, where multimode random lasing action is achieved. Experiments indicate that strengthened lasing shot has been triumphantly realized in the existence of metal Ag NPs. By optimizing the ratio of Ag NPs to DCJTB during the process of the preparation, random lasing emission has been realized with much cut down thresholds to 0.55 mW cm(-2). The microscopic resonators may be shaped both by randomly oriented polymeric fibers and multiple scattering of Ag NPs which offer special opportunities to design multiple light scattering and random laser. Besides, the localized surface-plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Ag NPs is excited, which couples with output emission of DCJTB to improve the lasing efficiency. This system is a promising candidate for the coming growth of all-plastic, micro- to macroscale optical tables for signal transmission and processing.