Room-temperature single nanoribbon lasers

Using a single nano-object measurement methodology that enables the correlation between size/morphology/structure and photoluminescence (PL) characteristics, we show that nanoribbons are an excellent model system to study single nano-objects. In particular, we measure the PL characteristics of optically pumped individual single-crystal zinc-sulfide nanoribbons. Small collection angle measurements show that nanoribbons form excellent optical cavities and gain medium with high (full width at half maximum<0.1 nm) lasing modes free of PL background even for a low pumping power density of 9 kW/cm(2). Large collection angles add a broad PL component and obscure the correct high-quality lasing of the nanowires/nanoribbons. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.