Electric field effects on persistent spectral holes: Perylene in the polar polymer polyvinylbutyral

We investigated the effects of an electric field on a spectral hole burned in the inhomogeneously broadened S ₀–S ₁ transition of perylene in different samples of the polar polymer polyvinylbutyral (PVB) and in cellulose nitrate. The spectral hole is broadened and reduced in depth by the electric field. It was checked experimentally for perylene in PVB that the hole area remains constant when an electric field is applied. We determined the effective matrix-induced electric dipole moment differences * for perylene in different PVB samples and in cellulose nitrate. Within experimental accuracy the value of * is approximately independent of the composition of PVB and its water content. For perylene in cellulose nitrate the value of * is larger by a factor of 1.5 than in PVB. The results are discussed on the basis of a simple model for the electric field effect.