Investigation of photoluminescence and amplified spontaneous emission properties of cyanoacetic acid derivative (KTB) in PVK amorphous thin films

Abstract

In this work photoluminescence and amplified spontaneous emission properties of new original 2-cyanoacetic acid derivative in different concentration mixed in polyvinyl carbazole (PVK) matrix were investigated. Ethyl 2-(2-(4-(bis(2- (trityloxy)ethyl)amino)styryl)-6-tert-butyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)-2-cyanoacetate (KTB) is recently synthesised nonsymmetric red light emitting laser dye, that in previous experiments with neat thin films showed low amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) threshold value. Based on PVK high refractive index it has been used as a polymer to ensure the preparation of good planar waveguide. Luminescence quenching is expected in neat amorphous thin films according to previous experiments which reduces photoluminescence quantum yield and increases ASE excitation threshold energy. It could be overcome by a decrease of the intermolecular interactions between laser active molecules by doping them in polymer matrix thereby decreasing photoluminescence quenching effect in the system by increasing distance between organic molecules which in turn results in lowering ASE excitation threshold energy. The lowest threshold value of ASE was achieved at 20wt% of KTB molecule in PVK matrix. Ability to significantly decrease intermolecular interactions and excitation threshold energy of investigated compound in host-guest systems makes it promising to be used as a laser dye in preparation of organic solid state lasers.