Lasing from Semiconductor Quantum Rods in a Cylindrical Microcavity

Abstract

Lasers based on colloidal semiconductor nanostructures can benefit from the remarkable spectral coverage afforded through the quantum confinement effect. The first observation of lasing for colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum rods in solution using a cylindrical microcavity is reported here (see also inside front cover). Lasing in the same configuration was also observed for spherical nanocrystal quantum dots. For the quantum dots lasing is not polarized, but in quantum rods the laser emission is highly linearly polarized, a desirable feature for laser and photonic applications.