Abstract

Advances are reported in the preparation and performance of solid state dye lasers based on organic dyes doped into sol-gel glass host matrices. Post-doping, in which the active dye is diffused into the porous sol-gel matrix, has been developed into an effective method. Dye concentrations covering the optimum ranges for laser operation have been readily achieved. Samples were prepared by post-doping laser dyes into densified porous sol-gel glass and filling the free volume with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Impregnation with PMMA is achieved by in-situ polymerization of methylmethacrylate and this significantly improves optical quality. Polishing techniques have now been developed to produce optical quality surfaces. By formation of the composite the photostability of the active region is improved.

© 1994 Optical Society of America