  Random lasers (RLs) are intriguing devices with promising applications as
light sources for imaging, sensing, super resolution spectral analysis or
complex networks engineering. RLs can be obtained from optically pumped dyes,
optical fibers and crystals, or electrically pumped semiconductor
heterostructures. Semicon-ductor RLs are usually fabricated by introducing
scattering defects into the active layer, adding a degree of complexity to the
fabrication process and losing the ease of realization potentially offered by
disordered structures. Ready availability of electrically pumped RLs, avoiding
costly fabrication approach, would boost the use of these devices in research
and applications. Here, we realize an incoherent semiconductor RL by simply
processing the output mirror of an off-the-shelf Fabry-Perot laser diode via
controlled laser ablation. Optical feedback provided by the intact back mirror
and the ablated front mirror results in multi-mode ran-dom lasing with low
spatial coherence and speckled output emission profile.
