Colloidal quantum fountains
AssigneeUchicago Argonne, LLC
InventorBenjamin Diroll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Optical gain mediums are required for lasing devices and high intensity optical systems across a wide range of applications. A method for achieving optical gain includes an optical gain medium having colloidal quantum fountains includes providing pump radiation to the gain medium. The electrons of the colloidal quantum fountains are promoted from a valence band to an excited state in a conduction band of the colloidal quantum fountains. Seed radiation is provided to the gain medium and electrons of the quantum fountains are de-excited by the seed radiation through stimulated emission from the excited state to a lower energy state of the conduction band, thereby providing optical gain.
Claims20
A method of achieving optical gain, the method comprising:
- providing pump radiation to a gain medium, the gain medium having (i) a valence energy band, (ii) a ground conduction energy band, (iii) a first conduction energy band, and (iv) a charge carrier in the valence energy band;
- exciting, by the pump radiation, the charge carrier from the valence band to the first conduction energy band;
- providing seed radiation to the gain medium and de-exciting the charge carrier from the first conduction energy band to the ground conduction energy band;
- and
- inducing, by the seed radiation, stimulated emission of output radiation, with the output radiation having an energy dependent on the energy difference of the first conduction energy band and ground conduction energy band.
A lasing device comprising:
- a gain medium disposed in an optical cavity, the gain medium having a plurality of colloidal nanoplates, with the colloidal nanoplates having a (i) valence energy band, (ii) ground conduction energy band, (iii) first conduction energy band, and (iv) a charged carrier in the valence energy band;
- a pump radiation source disposed to provide pump radiation to the gain medium, the pump radiation having an energy capable of exciting the charge carrier from the valence energy band to the first conduction energy band;
- and
- a seed radiation source disposed to provide seed radiation to the gain medium, the seed radiation having an energy capable of causing de-excitation of the charge carrier from the first conduction energy band, to the ground conduction energy band and inducing stimulated emission of output radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.