Near-infrared luminescent polymer amplifiers and microlasers

Abstract

Near-infrared optical gain in luminescent polymeric slab asymmetric waveguides has been investigated by use of amplified spontaneous emission. Upon nanosecond photopumping, the waveguides have shown a small-signal gain coefficient of 37.2 ± 2.1 cm-1 at 820 nm for a pump fluence of 1.57 mJ/cm2 (314 kW /cm2). It is shown that a small-signal gain of 19.7 ± 2.3 dB is achievable in a 1.2-mm -long waveguide. This is the largest gain reported to date for organic gain media operating in the nearinfrared region of the spectrum .