Solid-state dye lasers based on polymers incorporating covalently bonded modified rhodamine 6G

Abstract

We report on the lasing action of modified rhodamine 6G dyes copolymerized with methacrylic monomers. The laser samples were transversely pumped with a N2 laser at 337 nm. Lasing efficiencies similar to those found for rhodamine 6G in ethanol solution have been achieved. Important increases in photostability, with lifetimes in excess of 20 000 shots at 2 Hz, have been obtained. By using a rotating mechanism, a stable output with no sign of degradation after half a million shots has been demonstrated.