Efficient lasing action from Rhodamine-110 (Rh-110) impregnated sol–gel silica samples prepared by dip method

Rhodamine-110/sol–gel samples are prepared by sol–gel technique using dip method. Concentration dependent photophysical studies of these samples have indicated about the least possibility of aggregate formation. The lasing action of Rh-110 in silica samples is studied as a function of dye concentration. An efficient laser emission is observed when the samples are transversely pumped at 337.1 nm and 1.5 Hz repetition rate using a nitrogen laser (400 μJ energy/pulse and 4 ns pulse duration). The maximum of 166% laser efficiency of dye doped sol–gel samples compared to Rhodamine-6G (Rh-6G) in methanol is achieved. The photostability is also measured by using N2 laser at 1 Hz and it is found nearly 165 pulses. The possible reasons for the photodegradation of the dye molecules are discussed in detail.