We report on the optical properties of a polymethine cyanine dye molecule,
commercially known as IR1051, incorporated in hybrid organic/inorganic zirc
onia-based thin films synthesized by sol-gel technique. Films were obtained
by spinning and casting deposition on glass substrates. Steady-state absor
ption and emission measurements have been carried out. Time resolved emissi
on spectra have also been performed in order to determine the effect of the
solid cage on the excited state dynamics of the infrared (IR) dye molecule
s. For comparison, measurements in liquid solutions are reported, and an es
timation of the relative quantum efficiency in solid glassy material with r
espect to liquid solution is given. The measurements are discussed in terms
of physical and chemical interactions with the host matrix. The present wo
rk represents one of the first evidence of successful doping of solid films
with dyes emitting in the IR region up to 1.3 mum. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien
ce B.V. All rights reserved.