Reconfigurable and Recyclable Low-Threshold Quasi-BIC Lasers via a Tunable polymer Coating

Abstract

Reconfigurable and sustainable microcavity lasers are highly desirable for next-generation integrated photonics. Here, we report a recyclable, low-threshold quasi-bound state in the continuum (q-BIC) laser fabricated via low-cost, high-throughput interference lithography. By introducing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coating on a dye-doped photonic crystal, we suppress out-of-plane symmetry breaking, which reinforces optical confinement and reduces the lasing threshold. The q-BIC modes are further tuned through tailoring the refractive-index of the PVA layer by using Kramers-Kronig relation via Rhodamine 6G doping, demonstrating a wavelength shift of 7.14 nm and a sensitivity of 215 nm RIU as a sensing prob. More importantly, lasing modes are reversibly tuning via precisely controlling the coating thickness. Exploiting the dissolving and re-coating process, the laser is repeatedly reconfigured while maintaining performance. This work provides a sustainable and adaptive platform for sensing and reconfigurable photonic systems.