Protein-based microsphere biolasers fabricated by dehydration

TL;DR

This paper introduces a green, rapid dehydration method to fabricate biocompatible protein microsphere lasers with high quality factors, suitable for biosensing applications, overcoming limitations of traditional fabrication techniques.

Contribution

The study presents a novel dehydration process using MicroglassificationTM technology to produce protein-based microsphere biolasers efficiently and environmentally friendly.

Findings

Microspheres can be fabricated in less than 10 minutes.

Lasing thresholds of 7.8 μJ/mm² achieved.

Q factors range from 1700 to 3100, matching WGM theory.

Abstract

Biolasers made of biological materials have attracted a great of research attention due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, which have the potential for biosensors and biointegration. However, the current fabrication method of biolasers suffers several limitations such as complicated processes, time-consuming and environmental unfriendly. In this work, a novel approach with green processes for fabricating solid-state microspheres biolasers is demonstrated. By using dehydration via a modified MicroglassificationTM technology, dye-doped bovine serum albumin (BSA) droplets can quickly (less than 10 minutes) and easily turn into solid microspheres with the diameter ranging from 10-150 {\mu}m. The size of the microspheres can be effectively controlled by changing either the concentration of BSA solution or the diameter of the initial droplets. Fabricated microspheres can act as efficient microlasers under optical pulse excitation. Lasing threshold of 7.8 {\mu}J mm-2 and quality (Q) factor of about 1700 to 3100 are obtained. The size-dependence of lasing characteristics have been investigated and the results show a good agreement with whispering gallery mode (WGM) theory. Our finding contributes an effective technique for the fabrication of high Q factor microlasers that may be potential for applications in biological and chemical sensors.