Development and applications of optical resonators based on functional organic materials

Abstract Optical resonators are small objects that can confine light within their body, and they have been integrated into optical devices including laser oscillators, spectrometers, optical sensors, optical tags, and optical memories. While conventional resonators have been produced by carving inorganic materials through photolithography, chemists are now capable of producing an organic version of optical resonators. The author has expanded the scope of organic materials suitable for optical resonators and has recently reported several types of novel resonators with enhanced chemical and biological functionalities. Among them, this review will highlight flexible organic resonators made from elastic single-crystals and liquid droplets.