Studies on laser action from polymeric matrices based on trimethylsilyl methacrylate doped with pyrromethene 567 dye

Abstract

The lasing properties of pyrromethene 567 (PM567) dissolved in solid poly-trimethylsilyl-methacrylate (TMSMA) cross-linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) have been investigated. The vol/vol proportion of the different comonomers in each copolymer formulation was systematically varied, and the effect of each composition on the laser action of PM567 was evaluated. The laser samples were transversely pumped at 534 nm with 5.5 mJ/pulse from a frequency doubled Q-switched Nd:KGW laser. Lasing efficiencies of up to 14% and good stability with no sign of degradation after 10,000 pump pulses at 1 Hz in the copolymer P(TMSMA:MMA 50:50) were demonstrated. Pumping this sample at 10 Hz, the laser emission of PM567 remained at 45% of its initial value after 40,000 pulses.