Prolonged laser emission via a polymeric chiral nematic liquid crystal cavity with a microfluidic gain medium

A major challenge in liquid crystal (LC) lasers is the rapid degradation of emission under prolonged pulsed pumping. Here, we present the first, to our knowledge, miniature LC laser that integrates a microfluidic gain medium with a self-organized chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*LC) polymer template, effectively addressing this issue. We compare the emission characteristics of LC lasers with fluidic and static gain media. By continuously replenishing the gain medium at optimized flow rates, the lasing emission is significantly prolonged while maintaining a stable output. Meanwhile, the lasing wavelength remains unchanged even after extended operation, as our design enables pumping at a fixed position. This work advances LC lasers toward practical applications by enhancing emission stability and operational longevity.