Role of aggregation in the amplified spontaneous emission of [2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] in solution and films

The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) spectra of the conjugated polymer [2-methoxy-5-(2′- ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) is investigated under different conditions such as thin film and solution, solvent type and concentration. Results indicate that aggregation has a pronounced effect on ASE spectra. In solution form, as concentration was increased and thus the proportion of aggregates, a decrease in the ASE emission bandwidth and a red shift of the ASE peak was observed. For the thin film samples, the ASE spectra show two emission bands which were assigned to the first and second vibronic transition of the polymer chains.