Correlation between photophysical properties and lasing performances of Rhodamine-19 in three types of sol–gel glass hosts

Rhodamine-19 (Rh-19) incorporated three types of sol–gel samples (mentioned as dope route-I, dope route-II and dip method) were prepared by using two different methods of dye impregnation. The photophysical properties of all the three types of Rh-19 incorporated sol–gel solids were studied by using the UV–Visible absorption and the fluorescence spectroscopy. A single photon counting technique was used to estimate the lifetime of fluorescent species. From the study of fluorescence spectra, the coexistence of dimers (fluorescent and non-fluorescent both) and monomer of Rh-19 was observed. The photophysical properties of Rh-19 were found to be the best in dip sample, medium in dope route-II sample and low in dope route-I sample. After studying photophysical properties, the samples were subjected to laser study under nitrogen laser pumping at 337.1 nm at the rate of 1.5 Hz in transverse dye laser cavity. The highest laser efficiency and photostability of the dye were observed in dip sample, medium in dope route-II sample and small in dope route-I sample. A comparison between photophysical properties and laser performance of these materials showed a very good correlation.