Organically modified sol-gel films incorporating an infrared dye

Steady-state absorption and emission measurements for an infrared (IR) dye have been reported. Measurements in liquid solutions and in hybrid organic/ inorganic zirconia-based thin films synthesized with a sol-gel technique ha ve been carried out. The optical properties of films as a function of the d ensification temperature have also been investigated. The results are discu ssed in terms of the presence of monomer and dimer species of the dye and o f the physical and chemical interactions with the host matrix. (C) 2000 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.