Carbon dot-based lasing systems: A review of material synthesis, device architectures, and performance optimization

As a novel solution-processable laser material with excellent optical properties, high biocompatibility, and low toxicity, the intrinsic value of carbon dots and their role in optimizing small-scale lasers as a gain medium have received extensive attention. In this review, we systematically summarize a series of properties of carbon dots themselves and the carbon dot (CD) lasers fabricated based on them. Specifically, we first summarize the photoluminescence principle of carbon dots as well as their synthesis and modification methods. Secondly, we organize the current types of CD lasers. Finally, we summarize the applications of carbon dots and CD lasers, the current challenges they face, and provide outlooks and speculations for their future. It is hoped that this review can help other researchers comprehensively and completely understand or review the overall picture of carbon dots and CD lasers in the shortest possible time.