Sulforhodamine B doped polymeric matrices: A high efficient and stable solid-state laser

We report the first systematic study on the laser action of Sulforhodamine B (SRB). Rhodamine B (RB), with similar molecular skeleton but with different phenyl substituents, was analysed to define the structural keystones in influencing their optical properties. Synthesis and laser characterization of photosensitized homopolymer, linear and crosslinked copolymers, and silicon-modified organic matrices were carried out. High lasing efficiencies, of up to 57%, were obtained with high photostability since the laser output remained stable, with no sign of photodegradation after 100,000 pump pulses at 10Hz in the same position of the sample. These are, to the best of our knowledge, the topmost results achieved with new red-photosensitized materials to apply in advanced optical devices in this spectral region. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.