Lasing with cell-endogenous fluorophores: parameters and conditions

Abstract

The notion of lasing with biologics has recently been realized and has since rapidly developed with the collective objective of creating lasers $\textit{in vivo}$. One limitation of achieving this goal is the requirement of exogenous laser dyes and fluorescent materials. To circumvent this, we investigate the use of cell-endogenous fluorophores - sources of cell autofluorescence - as laser gain material. In this work, we study the lasing potential and efficiency of flavins and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) using a dye lasing model based on coupled rate equations. Analytical solutions for one- and two-photon pumped system were used in multi-parameter studies. We found that at physiological conditions, lasing can be supported by NAD(P)H with cavity quality factors of $10^5$. With the further consideration of damage thresholds, we recommend the use of flavins as they entail lower threshold requirements. We then identify potential parameters for engineering to make the lasing of flavins feasible even at their low physiological intracellular concentrations. We also note the higher threshold requirements and lower efficiencies of two-photon pumping, but recognize its potential for realizing lasing $\textit{in vivo}$.