Atomically
precise molecular-like metal nanoclusters (MNCs) exhibit
unique properties, such as strong photoluminescence and absorption
with inherent biocompatibility, which enable us to extend their applications
to chemical sensing, biomedical imaging, optoelectronics, and many
other areas. However, stimulated laser emission is greatly desirable
to upgrade their more advanced functionalities. Here we provide a
plausible approach to achieve this outstanding characteristic from
MNCs. Quite interestingly, by integrating hyperbolic metamaterials
(HMMs) with highly luminescent silver metal nanoclusters (Ag-TSA MNCs),
a strong stimulated emission (random lasing action) with a low threshold
of ∼0.5 kW cm–2 is discovered. The light
emission is enhanced by ∼35 times when the solid-state assembly
of Ag-TSA MNCs is integrated with HMM in comparison with that with
a silicon substrate. The high-k modes excited by
the HMM offer the possibility of forming the coherent closed feedback
loops necessary for random lasing actions, thereby decreasing the
energy loss associated with the photons’ propagation in the
matrix. The simulations derived from the finite-difference time-domain
method support the experimental results. Our study shown here makes
an initial step to demonstrate stimulated laser action from metal
nanoclusters. It is believed that there exist many other alternatives
for exploring this emerging research topic for the future development
of cost-effective and biocompatible optoelectronic devices.