Optically driven random lasing in ZnO nanorods prepared by chemical bath deposition

In this paper, we report on room temperature UV lasing emission observed in a mirror-less ZnO sample prepared by two-step chemical bath deposition technique; a popular low cost method for making ZnO nanorods. We attribute the mechanism of the laser emission to coherent multiple light scattering between the nanorods within the illuminated area of excitation. Reduced threshold condition was observed for the nanorods having smallest crystallite size. Furthermore, the ability to maintain the number of modes at different excitation areas of the sample as well as at different pump powers suggests this method of growing the ZnO nanorods as a promising growth method for industry in developing high efficiency low cost random lasers for future integrated photonic devices.