Tunable RGB cholesteric lasers.

Compact multicolor laser sources are of particular interest for many applications, which include confocal microscopy, communication technology and displays. Dye Doped Cholesteric Liquid Crystals (DD-CLCs) are ideally suited for efficient multiline lasing from ultraviolet to near infrared range. Recently, 3D multicolored laser emission from an emulsion containing DD-CLCs confined inside micro-droplets has been observed. Following solvent evaporation, a free-standing polymeric film in which the micro droplets are encapsulated has been obtained. The film retains the same optical and photonic properties as the emulsion. Using the proper materials, the emitted laser wavelengths can be tuned as a function of external stimuli.