We report on steady-state absorption and emission measurements for two infr
ared (IR) dye molecules, IR5 and IR1051, incorporated in hybrid organic/ino
rganic zirconia-based thin films synthesized with a sol-gel technique. For
comparison, measurements in liquid solutions have also been carried out, an
d an estimation of the relative quantum efficiency in solid glassy material
with respect to liquid solution is reported. Absorption and emission spect
ra are discussed in terms of physical and chemical interactions with the ho
st matrix. The present work provides the evidence of successful doping of s
olid films with dyes for planar waveguides emitting in the infrared region
up to 1.3 mu m. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)0134
1-8].