PROTON-TRANSFER LASERS BASED ON SOLID COPOLYMERS OF MODIFIED 2-(2'-HYDROXYPHENYL)BENZIMIDAZOLES WITH METHACRYLATE MONOMERS

We report on the lasing action of two newly synthesized 2-(2'-hydroxyp henyl) benzimidazole derivatives copolymerized with methyl methacrylat e. The laser samples were transversely pumped with a N-2 laser at 337 nm. The influence on the proton-transfer laser performance of the dist ance between the chromophore group and the polymeric main chain and of the rigidity of the polymeric host matrix, were studied. Significant increases in lasing efficiency and photostability are demonstrated for some of the new materials, as compared to those previously obtained w ith related proton-transfer dyes also covalently bound to methacrylic monomers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.