Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras

High Q and Low Threshold WGM Lasing in the Visible Spectral Range from SM:ZNO Micro-spherical Cavities

Technology Category/Market

Technology: A Multimodal 3-degrees of Freedom Haptic Device

Category: Assistive, Test Equipment & Design Manufacturing/Robotics & Automation

Industry: Biomedical/Gaming/Automotive

Application: Haptic sensation /Remote environment

Market: The global market size is estimated to be worth USD 3.9 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 5.0 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period.

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Problem Statement

  • ZnO is ideal for solid-state light sources and detectors, especially in UV ranges due to its wide bandgap and large free-exciton binding energy.
  • ZnO-based micro-resonators are suitable for UV micro-lasers due to their stable emission layer and good optical confinement.
  • ZnO can be easily made into various nanoand micro-structures, with spherical dielectric structures having no confinement loss at the edges.
  • ZnO emits a wide spectrum in the visible range, but there is limited research on visible range WGM lasing in ZnO.
  • Researchers have developed an improved process for high Q and low threshold WGM lasing in the visible spectral range from Sm:ZnO micro-spherical cavities.

Technology

  • Synthesizing spheres from Sm:ZnO micro-spherical cavities using simple laser ablation.
  • Creating undoped and 1% Sm:ZnO microspheres using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser beam.
  • Collecting liquid droplets formed as spheres on quartz substrates.
  • Making targets from nanoparticle powder synthesized by sol-gel route, cold pressed, and sintered at 1100°C for 12 hours.
  • Coupling major Sm3+ f-f emissions from transitions from 4G5/2 to its low-lying multiplets.
  • Doping ZnO with Sm ion to form 4f levels in the forbidden gap of ZnO.
  • Coupling sharp emissions from inter-band states and characteristic ZnO emissions to WGMs of the cavity.

Key Features/Value Proposition

Whispering Gallery Mode Lasing in Sm³⁺doped ZnO Microspheres

  • Characterized by selective, sharp resonances.
  • Enables efficient lasing with precise spectral output in visible range.
  • Applicable for displays, optical sensors, lighting.

Low Lasing Threshold and High Q-value Laser Technology

  • Achieves low lasing thresholds.
  • Enhances efficiency
  • High Q-values improve resonance sharpness and stability.

Laser Ablation Synthesis of Microspheres

  • Fabricates Sm³⁺doped ZnO microspheres.
  • Ensures high crystallinity, smooth surfaces, and scalable production.
  • Compares to complex CVD or sol-gel processes.

ZnO Matrix Emissions: Sharp Emissions from Sm³⁺ Transitions

  • Sm³⁺ ions produce well-defined emissions.
  • Transitions in 4f electron levels ideal for visible light emission.
  • Highly efficient for visible wavelength applications.

Laser Ablation Technique:

  • Cost-Effective, Scalable
  • Simpler, cheaper, scalable alternative to traditional methods.
  • Avoids complex, costly CVD and sol-gel processes.

Invention Enhances Efficiency with Low Thresholds”

  • Operates with low lasing thresholds.
  • High Q-values reduce energy consumption.
  • Reduces energy consumption compared to conventional technologies.

Sm³⁺ Transitions Lasing Emissions

  • Crucial for precision applications like optical sensing and lighting.

Technology Versatility:

  • Tailored for visible wavelength emissions (550–750 nm).
  • Offers advantages for advanced displays, sensors, lighting systems.

Laser Ablation Synthesized Microspheres

  • Result in efficient light generation and propagation.
Questions about this Technology?

Contact for Licensing

Research Lab

Prof. Ramachandra Rao M S

Department of Physics

Intellectual Property

  • IITM IDF Ref. 1753

  • Patent No: IN 548715

Technology Readiness Level

TRL- 4

Technology validated in lab

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