Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing

Rebecca Heilmann; Joel Lehikoinen; Sioneh Eyvazi; Evgeny A. Mamonov; Päivi Törmä

doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138

Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing

Rebecca Heilmann
, Joel Lehikoinen
, Sioneh Eyvazi
, Evgeny A. Mamonov
, Päivi Törmä^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Controlling light–matter interactions is central to photonic technologies ranging from lasers to optical information processing. Suitably designed photonic structures give rise to flat bands, where the density of states diverges and the group velocity goes to zero, allowing light localization. These properties make flat bands attractive for lasing; however, designing photonic structures that support flat bands is challenging. Here, we introduce long-range coupled chains of nanoparticles that support totally flat bands extending over the full angular range. We demonstrate flat-band lasing in single chains and explain the transition to Γ-point lasing as the number of chains is increased. Moreover, we show partially coherent emission from square and triangular two-dimensional chain lattices. The excited modes depend on the pump power and polarization. Our results establish chain lattices as a versatile platform for exploring flat-band lasing and suggest new routes toward narrow-band, linearly polarized, and bright light sources with tailored coherence.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	5960-5966
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nano Letters
Volume	26
Issue number	17
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138
Publication status	Published - 6 May 2026
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and the SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them (SCOLED, Grant Agreement 101098813). The work was also supported by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation as part of the Future Makers funding program, by the Research Council of Finland under Project 349313, and by the Research Council of Finland through Finnish Quantum Flagship Project 358877. The work is part of the Research Council of Finland Flagship Programme, Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN) (Decision 346529), Aalto University. This work is part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Quantum Materials (QMAT).

Keywords

flat bands
lasing
nanoparticle arrays
plasmonics

Access to Document

10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138Licence: CC BY

Chains_of_Nanoparticles_for_Flat-Band_Emission_and_LasingFinal published version, 9.05 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{a1fcf1b8eec3443cbb1fe2cfdd4a0aee,

title = "Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing",

abstract = "Controlling light{\textendash}matter interactions is central to photonic technologies ranging from lasers to optical information processing. Suitably designed photonic structures give rise to flat bands, where the density of states diverges and the group velocity goes to zero, allowing light localization. These properties make flat bands attractive for lasing; however, designing photonic structures that support flat bands is challenging. Here, we introduce long-range coupled chains of nanoparticles that support totally flat bands extending over the full angular range. We demonstrate flat-band lasing in single chains and explain the transition to Γ-point lasing as the number of chains is increased. Moreover, we show partially coherent emission from square and triangular two-dimensional chain lattices. The excited modes depend on the pump power and polarization. Our results establish chain lattices as a versatile platform for exploring flat-band lasing and suggest new routes toward narrow-band, linearly polarized, and bright light sources with tailored coherence.",

keywords = "flat bands, lasing, nanoparticle arrays, plasmonics",

author = "Rebecca Heilmann and Joel Lehikoinen and Sioneh Eyvazi and Mamonov, \{Evgeny A.\} and P{\"a}ivi T{\"o}rm{\"a}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society. | openaire: EC/HE/101098813/EU//SCOLED ",

year = "2026",

month = may,

day = "6",

doi = "10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138",

language = "English",

volume = "26",

pages = "5960--5966",

journal = "Nano Letters",

issn = "1530-6984",

publisher = "American Chemical Society",

number = "17",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing

AU - Heilmann, Rebecca

AU - Lehikoinen, Joel

AU - Eyvazi, Sioneh

AU - Mamonov, Evgeny A.

AU - Törmä, Päivi

PY - 2026/5/6

Y1 - 2026/5/6

N2 - Controlling light–matter interactions is central to photonic technologies ranging from lasers to optical information processing. Suitably designed photonic structures give rise to flat bands, where the density of states diverges and the group velocity goes to zero, allowing light localization. These properties make flat bands attractive for lasing; however, designing photonic structures that support flat bands is challenging. Here, we introduce long-range coupled chains of nanoparticles that support totally flat bands extending over the full angular range. We demonstrate flat-band lasing in single chains and explain the transition to Γ-point lasing as the number of chains is increased. Moreover, we show partially coherent emission from square and triangular two-dimensional chain lattices. The excited modes depend on the pump power and polarization. Our results establish chain lattices as a versatile platform for exploring flat-band lasing and suggest new routes toward narrow-band, linearly polarized, and bright light sources with tailored coherence.

AB - Controlling light–matter interactions is central to photonic technologies ranging from lasers to optical information processing. Suitably designed photonic structures give rise to flat bands, where the density of states diverges and the group velocity goes to zero, allowing light localization. These properties make flat bands attractive for lasing; however, designing photonic structures that support flat bands is challenging. Here, we introduce long-range coupled chains of nanoparticles that support totally flat bands extending over the full angular range. We demonstrate flat-band lasing in single chains and explain the transition to Γ-point lasing as the number of chains is increased. Moreover, we show partially coherent emission from square and triangular two-dimensional chain lattices. The excited modes depend on the pump power and polarization. Our results establish chain lattices as a versatile platform for exploring flat-band lasing and suggest new routes toward narrow-band, linearly polarized, and bright light sources with tailored coherence.

KW - flat bands

KW - lasing

KW - nanoparticle arrays

KW - plasmonics

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105037935949

U2 - 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138

DO - 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c01138

M3 - Article

C2 - 42021521

AN - SCOPUS:105037935949

SN - 1530-6984

VL - 26

SP - 5960

EP - 5966

JO - Nano Letters

JF - Nano Letters

IS - 17

ER -

Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

-: Finnish Quantum Flagship

PREIN 2: Photonics Research and Innovation

SCOLED: Strong-coupling-enhanced nanoparticle array organic light-emitting diode

OtaNano

OtaNano - Nanofab

Cite this

Chains of Nanoparticles for Flat-Band Emission and Lasing

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

-: Finnish Quantum Flagship

PREIN 2: Photonics Research and Innovation

SCOLED: Strong-coupling-enhanced nanoparticle array organic light-emitting diode

Equipment

OtaNano

OtaNano - Nanofab

Cite this