High-repetition-rate polymeric solid-state dye lasers pumped by a copper-vapor laser

We report on the laser action of pyrromethene 567 incorporated into polymeric matrices and pumped longitudinally with the green line of a copper-vapor laser. When the dye was dissolved in a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and pentaerythritol triacrylate, 290 mW average power at 1 kHz (37% lasing efficiency) was obtained. The laser output decreased to 150 mW after 30 min irradiation time (1.8×10⁶ shots) and to 32 mW after 70 min of operation (4.2×10⁶ shots). Output power of up to 1 W at 6.2 kHz was obtained for short periods of time. Polymeric matrices incorporating rhodamine 6G were also studied.3 page(s