Efficient and stable dye laser action from modified dipyrromethene BF2 complexes

We report on the lasing action of modified dipyrromethene BF2 complexes in air-equilibrated liquid solutions. All recent dyes share a common chromophore core and were dissolved in apolar, polar nonprotic, and polar protic solvents. When pumped transversely at 534 nm, nearly solvent-independent laser emission was obtained with efficiencies well over 40% in most cases. Highest lasing efficiency was 59%. Under continuous ultraviolet irradiation some of these dyes demonstrated improved photostability as compared with commercial dye pyrromethene 567. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.