Effect of different metal-backed waveguides on amplified spontaneous emission

We investigate the effect of metallic electrode on the ability for poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) film to undergo amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The threshold of the device with Ag cladding is about 10 times greater than that of a metal-free device, but metal such as Al completely shuts off ASE. The ASE recurs when a thin spacer layer, such as a few nanometers of SiO₂, is introduced between the MEH-PPV film and the Al cladding. Compared with the Cu or Al electrode, the Ag cladding is most suited to serve as an electrode with its low optical loss due to its high work-function and reflectivity.