Absorption spectroscopic investigation of rhodamine dye vapors

The dyes rhodamine 6G and rhodamine 19 are investigated. The dye stability versus temperature and time is studied. Bulk dye stuff is found to be less stable than dye adsorbed to the stainless steel cell walls and in the vapor phase. Rhodamine 6G converts to rhodamine 19 before evaporation. Adsorbed rhodamine 19 and rhodamine 19 vapor disintegrate most likely into 2,7-dimethylrhodamine 110 at elevated temperatures (> 320°C). For rhodamine 19 vapor the absorption spectrum, the saturated vapor density and the latent heat of evaporation are determined. The vapor absorption spectra of rhodamine 19 and 2,7-dimethylrhodamine 110 are compared with solution spectra.