Graphene Quantum Dot Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

Nonzero-bandgap graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are novel optical gain materials promising for solution-processed light sources with high cost efficiency and device performance. Currently, there have only been a few reports on the realization of GQDs-based lasers. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time room-temperature lasing emission with green gamut from GQDs in a vertical optical cavity composed of Ta₂O₅/SiO₂ dielectric distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). The lasing is enabled by the unique design of the DBR, which not only provides a wide stopband spectrally overlapping with the emission of the GQDs but also allows high transmittance of optical excitation in the UV-light region. This demonstration is a clear evidence of the use of GQDs as optical gain materials and represents an important step forward toward their potential applications in wide-gamut laser displays and projectors.