Dye stabilization and wavelength tunability in lasing fibers based on DNA

• Published in: arXiv.org 2020-12
• Main Authors: Persano, Luana, Szukalski, Adam, Gaio, Michele, Moffa, Maria, Salvadori, Giacomo, Sznitko, Lech, Camposeo, Andrea, Mysliwiec, Jaroslaw, Sapienza, Riccardo, Mennucci, Benedetta, Pisignano, Dario
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological materials; Biopolymers; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Dyes; Fluorescence; Lasing; Nanofibers; Optical communication; Optical properties; Quantum chemistry; Synergistic effect; Tunable lasers; Twisting
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2012.03106

Lasers based on biological materials are attracting an increasing interest in view of their use in integrated and transient photonics. DNA as optical biopolymer in combination with highly-emissive dyes has been reported to have excellent potential in this respect, however achieving miniaturized lasing systems based on solid-state DNA shaped in different geometries to confine and enhance emission is still a challenge, and physico-chemical mechanisms originating fluorescence enhancement are not fully understood. Herein, a class of wavelength-tunable lasers based on DNA nanofibers is demonstrated, for which optical properties are highly controlled through the system morphology. A synergistic effect is highlighted at the basis of lasing action. Through a quantum chemical investigation, we show that the interaction of DNA with the encapsulated dye leads to hindered twisting and suppressed channels for the non-radiative decay. This is combined with effective waveguiding, optical gain, and tailored mode confinement to promote morphologically-controlled lasing in DNA-based nanofibers. The results establish design rules for the development of bright and tunable nanolasers and optical networks based on DNA nanostructures.