Random lasing in micron-sized individual supraparticles

Self-assembled fluorescent particles have shown promise as a potential structure for random lasers. However, obtaining micron-sized random lasers made with fluorescent particles remains a challenge. Theoretically, achieving micron-sized random lasers could be possible by assembling supraparticles composed of colloidal particles. Despite extensive research on supraparticles, the generation of random lasers from this structure is rarely reported. In this study, we introduce a rapid and efficient method for producing supraparticles from fluorescent particles. The resulting supraparticles exhibit diameters ranging from 50 to 150 µm with particles well-connected and uniformly distributed throughout their structure. Under optical excitation, supraparticles with a diameter larger than 80 µm demonstrate lasing emission with a threshold of approximately 77 µJ·mm−2. Larger supraparticles exhibit a distinct redshift in lasing wavelength compared to the smaller ones. Specifically, the central peak lasing wavelength shows a shift of about 7.5 nm as the supraparticle diameter increases from 80 to 150 µm. © 2024 Optica Publishing Group.