Functional Laser Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Functional laser materials have become a cornerstone in the advancement of lasing and optoelectronic technologies, significantly impacting a wide array of scientific, industrial and commercial applications. The continuous evolution of material generations has driven the development of increasingly efficient and versatile laser systems. Recent progress in the synthesis and fabrication of functional laser materials has greatly facilitated the enhancement of laser performance, making it possible to achieve unprecedented capabilities in terms of output power, pulse duration, and wavelength range. Lasers based on these functional materials, such as solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, semiconductor lasers, and novel nanostructured lasers, exhibit output powers reaching tens of megawatts, pulse durations as short as femtoseconds and even attoseconds, and peak pulse powers on the order of petawatts. These lasers span a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to mid-infrared and terahertz, and have found significant applications in cutting-edge scientific research, medical therapies, industrial processing, defense technologies, and beyond.

The development of advanced functional laser materials, particularly those designed to meet the challenges of high-power operation, efficient energy conversion, and broad tunability, continues to push the boundaries of laser performance. Furthermore, the integration of novel low-dimensional materials, such as zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, has enabled the realization of highly efficient, compact, and flexible laser devices. These materials offer a unique combination of optical, electrical, and mechanical properties, which have led to the development of next-generation lasers that are not only more powerful and efficient but also lighter, more flexible, and cost-effective.

Additionally, the advent of third-generation semiconductor materials, including gallium nitride (GaN), silicon carbide (SiC), and diamond, presents a promising direction for the development of laser systems that surpass the limitations of traditional silicon-based materials. These materials demonstrate exceptional thermal, electrical, and optical properties, making them highly suitable for high-power lasers, UV lasers, and other demanding applications in areas such as switching power supplies, RF communications, high-efficiency lighting, and laser-based manufacturing.

We believe that the continued progress in functional laser materials, particularly through the exploration of new material systems and novel fabrication techniques, will play a crucial role in shaping the future of laser technologies. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to collate the latest original research articles, communications, and review articles on the development of functional laser materials, including those used in solid-state, fiber, semiconductor, and nanostructured lasers, along with their diverse applications.      

Prof. Dr. Baitao Zhang
Prof. Dr. Shande Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• novel laser crystals
• novel nonlinear crystals
• novel semiconductor materials
• nanocrystals and applications
• mid-infrared lasers
• ultrafast lasers
• novel optoelectronic materials and devices
• optoelectronic properties of low-dimensional materials
• optical modulation and switch
• optical sensing and detecting