We achieved mechanical control of the lasing color by exploiting a lasing cavity based on periodic arrays of nanoparticles in a stretchable, polymer matrix. This materials system could achieve reversibly tunable lasing as well as superior sensitivity to applied strain. Large metal nanoparticles arranged in a lattice produce high-quality hybrid quadrupole plasmon modes that are tolerant to uneven sample surfaces and defects in the lattice. The confined electromagnetic fields resulted in lasing action from regions close to the metal nanoparticles, and small changes in interparticle distance produced a change in lasing wavelength. Hence, by stretching and releasing the elastomeric substrate, we could select at will the lasing emission color.
