High-repetition-rate polymeric solid-state dye lasers pumped by a copper-vapor laser

We report on the laser action of pyrromethene 567 incorporated into polymeric matrices and pumped longitudinally with the green line of a copper-vapor laser. When the dye was dissolved in a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate, 290 mW average power at 1 kHz (37% lasing efficiency) was obtained. The laser output decreased to 150 mW after 30 min irradiation time (1.8x10(6) shots) and to 32 mW after 70 min of operation (4.2x10(6) shots). Output power of up to 1 W at 6.2 kHz was obtained for short periods of time. Polymeric matrices incorporating rhodamine 6G were also studied. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.