Optical characterization of IR-active composite glasses

We report on the optical properties of a polymethine cyanine dye molecule, commercially known as IR1051, incorporated in hybrid organic/inorganic zirconia-based thin films synthesized by sol-gel technique. Films were obtained by spinning and casting deposition on glass substrates. Steady-state absorption and emission measurements have been carried out. Time resolved emission spectra have also been performed in order to determine the effect of the solid cage on the excited state dynamics of the infrared (IR) dye molecules. For comparison, measurements in liquid solutions are reported, and an estimation of the relative quantum efficiency in solid glassy material with respect to liquid solution is given. The measurements are discussed in terms of physical and chemical interactions with the host matrix. The present work represents one of the first evidence of successful doping of solid films with dyes emitting in the IR region up to 1.3 mum. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.