Molecular engineering and photostability of laser dyes within sol-gel hosts

T. Suratwala, K. Davidson, Z. Gardlund, D. R. Uhlmann, S. Bonilla, N. Peyghambarian

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The use of a solid-state dye laser for commercial applications has been limited largely by the poor photostability of the gain medium. Techniques are examined to improve the photostability of Coumarin and Pyrromethene-BF2 567 (PM-567) laser dyes within xerogel and Polyceram hosts synthesized by sol-gel processing. The photochemical mechanisms by which laser dyes degrade are discussed and determined specifically for PM-567. PM-567 was determined to degrade both by photo-oxidation and acid degradation. Techniques for improving photostability are described from a molecular engineering perspective. These techniques include: covalently attaching the laser dye to the host; controlling the chemical environment of the dye; increasing dye caging by increasing the SiO2 content; removing porosity from the host; and incorporating additives such as hindered amine light stabilizers to minimize photodegradation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)141-152
Number of pages12
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume2986
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
EventSolid State Lasers VI - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Feb 10 1997Feb 11 1997

Keywords

  • Antioxidants
  • Photostability
  • Polycerams
  • Polydimethylsiloxa ne
  • Porosity
  • Pyrromethene-BF 567
  • Sol-Gel
  • Solid-State Dye Laser

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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