Efficiency and photostability optimization in Perylene-doped polymer distributed feedback lasers and amplifiers

Here we present a study on the photodegradation of the laser dye Perylene Orange (PerO) doped in different polymer matrix to reach the best compromise between photostability and efficiency. Polymers with different oxygen permeabilities and thermal conductivities were used to assess whether the degradation is more thermal or more chemical and to optimize efficiency and photostability. Perylene-doped polymer thin films were deposited onto quartz substrates defining asymmetric planar wave-guides. Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) gain and photostability measurements were carried out in films prepared using the extender roller technique, which renders films with 9 μm thickness. Laser measurements were performed in films spin coated onto corrugated substrates defining surface emitting distributed feedback (DFB) lasers with thicknesses close to 1.5 μm. The dye concentration was chosen to optimize the output efficiency for each of the dye/polymer mixtures.