Remote control of liquid crystal elastomer random laser using external stimuli

We present a distinct design for a random laser based on a composite material consisting of an elastomeric liquid crystal with embedded TiO2 nanoparticles. Random lasing action can be controlled by an external, non-contact light stimulus; this induces a rearrangement of the elastomeric liquid crystals which moves the laser body in and out of the focal plane of a pump laser, pushing its emission above or below the lasing threshold.