Optical fiber facet-based random lasers

Abstract

As a new type of optical devices, random lasers are unique in concept and principle. Due to the unique characteristics of optical field, simple structure, easy preparation and low cost, random lasers have wide application prospects in fields of imaging, sensing, and photonic chips. The optical feedback in the random laser is provided by the multiple scattering in the disordered gain medium. The inner disorder determines many emission characteristics of random lasers, such as low spatial coherence, random emission wavelength and direction. The output directivity of random lasing is an important factor in many applications, which can be optimized by transferring the random laser on fiber facet. Meanwhile, the random laser on fiber facet is of benefit to miniaturization and integration of random lasers. In this review, a brief introduction is given about the basic concept, typical characteristics and control methods of random lasers. Importantly, focusing on optical fiber facet-based random lasers, we emphatically summarized the design ideas, preparation methods, emission characteristics, and application in imaging/sensing. Besides, the development trend of optical fiber facet-based random lasers is prospected.