Recent progress and prospects of random lasers using advanced materials

Random lasers (RLs) are a particular class of optical devices. In a random laser, the optical feedback is provided by scattering media rather than by an optical cavity, as for traditional lasers. Such unique configuration leads to lasers with low spatial coherence and renders RLs attractive in the fields such as speckle-free imaging, sensing, and light therapy. The random laser generation depends on the gain and disordered scattering medium to obtain feedback and optical amplification. Therefore, the properties of the gain and scattering materials had particular importance for random lasers. The advancement of disordered nanostructure-based optical devices for photonic applications may further facilitate distinct and novel functionalities in RLs. However, the applicability of RLs has been restricted due to emission in random directions, polarization and wavelength tunability difficulties, and intense competition of modes. This review will discuss the recent progress and prospects of random lasers using advanced materials to address these limitations for RLs. Finally, some applications of RLs, including medical and diagnostics, photonic devices, sensors, and display technology, will be briefly reviewed.