A DNA Laser

A DNA laser has been demonstrated by scientists at the Chitose Institute of Science and Technology in Japan who have expanded on the idea of dye lasers, in which light-emitting dye molecules (of which there are many, offering a welcome versatility in tuning the output laser wavelength) are embedded in a surrounding matrix material. Putting too many dye molecules close together, however, can lead to the quenching of the fluorescence. In DNA this problem is greatly decreased since the dye molecules can be lodged (intercalated) in the double-strand scaffold of the DNA structure. It is too early to talk of such optimal properties as emittance or energy efficiency, but the researchers believe that because they have achieved thin-film lasing with such a high dye concentration then the engineering of compact, tunable lasers will follow. (Kawabe et al., Applied Physics Letters, 19 August; contact Yutaka Kawabe, y-kawabe@photon.chitose.ac.jp; also see figure.)