Bioinspired photonic crystal structures from Papilio Ulysses butterfly wings for versatile laser applications

Photonic crystals found within the wing of a Papilio Ulysses butterfly have demonstrated their efficacy in facilitating laser processes, particularly as a scattering material for imaging and illumination applications. This study delves into the investigation of the photonic crystal's band gap within the butterfly's wing, aiming to realize blue band-edge lasing using a newly developed gain medium comprising diphenylaminofluorene-based chromophores featuring a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) motif. The versatility of the fabricated sample is highlighted, as it can function as both a single-mode laser and a random laser, with the operational mode determined by adjusting the excitation power and the direction of the pump source. Specifically, it exhibits a threshold of 2.5 μJ for random laser operation and 7.6 μJ for single-mode laser operation. The unique architectural elements found in the butterfly's wing, including the ridges on the wing scale and the photonic crystal within the scales, play distinct roles in enabling random laser and single-mode laser actions, respectively. This distinctive butterfly wing architecture holds promise for inspiring the development of future photoelectronic circuits requiring a hybrid design that incorporates both single-mode and comb-mode laser functionalities.