We present measurements of the modulation of the near absorption edge optic
al properties of single carrier diodes made from a soluble poly(p-phenylene
vinylene) derivative. Pulsed electrical excitation was used to acquire the
optical characteristics for average injected charge densities up to 10(18)
cm(-3). For injected carrier densities below 5x10(17) cm(-3), the modulati
on of the optical properties are dominated by electroabsorption effects; at
higher densities, the effects of the injected charge predominate. We find
that there is no significant absorption by the injected charge below the op
tical absorption threshold and that there is substantial bleaching of the l
owest energy optical transitions at high carrier density. These results imp
ly that charge carrier absorption in this polymer does not limit the perfor
mance of organic light-emitting diodes and diode lasers. (C) 2001 American
Institute of Physics.