Solid state dye lasers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate co-polymers

The laser performance of a range of solid state dye lasers based on rhodami ne 590-doped co-polymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methyl m ethacrylate (MMA) has been investigated. The optimisation of preparation co nditions, including polymerisation initiator and solvent for dye delivery i s discussed in detail. Laser efficiency is compared for different polymeric hosts and dye concentrations with a range of output couplers, cavity lengt hs and repetition rates. Passive and dynamic loss have been determined for each host medium. Laser efficiencies of optimised polymers are among the hi ghest reported for rhodamine 590-doped solid state dye lasers under these o perating conditions. Highest slope efficiency of 35% and lowest threshold f luence of 0.06 J cm(-2) were obtained with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) addit ive in MPMMA at 10 Hz repetition rate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.