Abstract

Scattering has always been considered detrimental to conventional lasers, being a source of losses which scramble the directionality and intensity of the output emission [1]. Hence, conventional wisdom requires scattering in laser materials being always kept at the lowest possible level. The opposite is true in the so-called random lasers, which have received much attention in recent years [2]. In a random laser feedback is provided by light scattering inside a laser gain medium, eliminating the need for an external cavity. The characteristic properties of random lasers make these light sources ideal for display applications, environmental lightning, remote sensing and identification markers. A challenge of modern laser science is to develop advanced materials which combine synergistically the advantages of both random and conventional lasers, advancing lasing performance and thus boosting their industrial applications.

© 2011 Optical Society of America