LASER AND FLUORESCENCE PROPERTIES OF DYE-DOPED SOL-GEL SILICA FROM 400-NM TO 800-NM

Lasing and fluorescence properties of ten dyes covering the spectral range from 400 nm to 800 nm were studied in a silica matrix prepared by the sol-gel technique. The dye-doped sol-gel silica samples fluoresced strongly under laser excitation. Many of the samples were also induced to superradiate. In comparison to dyes in alcohol solvents, significant red-shifting was observed in the sol-gel silica fluorescence spectra. Plausible causes of the red-shift are discussed.