Chiral laser apparatus and method

A chiral laser configured for connection to an electrical power source, the chiral laser comprising:

• a conductive cholesteric structure having a top portion and a bottom portion and configured to produce a photonic stop band having a first predefined wavelength range, said cholesteric structure being doped with an excitable light-emitting material;
• a first electrode, connected to the power source, positioned in contact with said top portion of said cholesteric structure;
• and
• a second electrode, connected to the power source, positioned in contact with said bottom portion of said cholesteric structure, wherein when the power source applies a charge current to said doped cholesteric structure via said first and second electrodes, said excitable light-emitting material within said cholesteric structure emits electromagnetic radiation, so that polarized lasing occurs in a direction perpendicular to said layered structure.

A chiral laser configured for connection to an electrical power source, the chiral laser comprising:

• a layered structure having a top portion and a bottom portion and configured to produce a photonic stop band having a first predefined wavelength range, said layered structure comprising:
• an upper chiral material layer having a first pitch,
• a middle excitable light-emitting layer, and
• a lower chiral material layer having a second pitch;
• and
• electrode means, connecting said layered structure and the power source, for providing a charge current across at least a portion of said layered dielectric to cause said middle light-emitting layer to emit electromagnetic radiation, such that lasing occurs in a direction perpendicular to said layered structure.

A method of lasing utilizing a chiral structure comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a layered structure having a top portion and a bottom portion and configured to produce a photonic stop band having a first predefined wavelength range, said layered structure comprising:
• an upper chiral material layer having a first pitch,
• a middle excitable light-emitting layer, and
• a lower chiral material layer having a second pitch;
• and
• (b) applying excitation to said layered structure to cause said middle light-emitting layer to emit electromagnetic radiation, such that polarized lasing at a lasing wavelength occurs in a direction perpendicular to said layered structure.

A method of lasing utilizing a chiral laser configured for connection to an electrical power source, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a conductive cholesteric structure having a top portion and a bottom portion and configured to produce a photonic stop band having a first predefined wavelength range;
• (b) doping said cholesteric structure with an excitable light-emitting material;
• (c) positioning a first electrode, connected to the power source, in contact with said top portion of said cholesteric structure;
• (d) positioning a second electrode, connected to the power source, in contact with said bottom portion of said cholesteric structure;
• and
• (e) applying a charge current, by the power source, to said doped cholesteric structure via said first, and second electrodes, causing said excitable light-emitting material within said cholesteric structure to emit electromagnetic radiation such that polarized lasing occurs in a direction perpendicular to said layered structure.