Random lasing in nanostructured ZnO produced from bulk ZnSe

Abstract

We propose to produce three-dimensional ZnO random laser media on the basis of bulk ZnSe. Bulk ZnSe wafers are transformed into granular ZnO media by thermal treatment in oxygen ambient at temperatures in the range of 700–800 °C. This technology ensures a high optical quality of the ZnO nanostructured material produced to act as a gain medium for stimulated emission in the ultraviolet spectral region in combination with high-quality factor random laser resonators indicated by narrow lasing peaks. The quality factor for the observed emission modes is estimated to be around 1500. The structures produced are expected to find applications in microlaser technologies for optoelectronics and photonics.