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The integration of cerium oxide nanoparticles in solid-state random laser development

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Abstract

This study demonstrates that CeO2 nanoparticles are effective scattering centers within a solid-state random laser (RL) composed of a rhodamine 6G-doped polymeric matrix. Introducing these nanoparticles with nanorod geometry has enabled us to achieve distinct intensity thresholds for two different excitation spot sizes, underscoring the critical role of scattering centers in RL action. Furthermore, our findings reveal a linewidth narrowing from 32 to 8 nm, indicating the transition from spontaneous to stimulated emission. A comparative analysis employing two methodologies, direct analysis and spectral decomposition, yielded consistent results across the board. Each methodology confirmed the presence of an intensity threshold and linewidth narrowing exclusively in the CeO2-doped samples, confirming the absence of such phenomena in the undoped matrix. The synthesis of CeO2 nanostructures by hydrothermal route followed by incorporation into the dye-doped polymeric matrix emphasizes the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of our approach. This practical and scalable synthesis process, coupled with the novel application of CeO2 nanoparticles as scattering centers in solid-state RL systems, is a viable alternative to TiO2, the well-known and most-used scatterer centers in RL systems. Such findings contribute to the current field of RL research and open new possibilities for exploring novel CeO2 morphologies to optimize parameters, e.g., reducing the emission intensity threshold. Such reduction is particularly relevant for creating lab-on-chip devices that can be operated with compact and affordable light sources.

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Data Availability Statement

The authors declare that all data supporting the findings of this study are included within the paper and its supplementary information.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Laboratório Multiusuário de Microscopia de Alta Resolução (LabMic) at Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) for providing access to their scanning electron microscopy (SEM) facilities.

Funding

This research was funded by Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) with the following grant numbers 311439/2021–7, 406190/2021–6 and 440225/2021–3 (L.M.G.A.) and funded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR/SOARD, USA) under award number FA9550-23–1-0575 (M.S.B).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photonics Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74690-900, Brazil

    Luis M. G. Abegão, Lucas H. P. Silva & Leandro H. Z. Cocca

  2. Photonics Group, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil

    André L. S. Romero & Leonardo De Boni

  3. Materials Physics Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74690-900, Brazil

    Hugo J. N. P. D. Mello

  4. Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, 74690-900, Brazil

    Ligyane H. T. Lopes & Martin S. Barbosa

Authors
  1. Luis M. G. Abegão
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  2. Lucas H. P. Silva
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luis M. G. Abegão.

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Abegão, L.M.G., Silva, L.H.P., Cocca, L.H.Z. et al. The integration of cerium oxide nanoparticles in solid-state random laser development. Eur. Phys. J. Plus 139, 617 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-024-05433-3

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