Low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission in thin films of poly(tetraarylindenofluorene)

Abstract

We report on amplification of blue light (469 nm) via amplified spontaneous emission in asymmetric planar waveguides of a fully arylated polyindenofluorene derivative. A very low threshold value of about 3 μJ cm2 (∼375 W cm2) for amplification of light has been demonstrated by pumping the waveguides at 3.0 eV (410 nm) with a stripe shape excitation beam. Moderate gain coefficients up to 21 cm-1 and loss coefficients around 6 cm-1 have been measured. All measurements were performed under ambient conditions. No sample degradation could be observed which testifies to the excellent stability of the material against photodegradation. © 2005 American Institute of Physics.