title: Optical amplification in a first-generation dendritic organic semiconductor.
abstract: We report a study of a new class of organic semiconductor as an optical gain medium. We demonstrate amplification of violet light by use of stimulated emission in a solution of a first-generation bis-fluorene-cored semiconducting dendrimer. Amplification is also observed in the solid state by means of amplified spontaneous emission in an optically pumped dendrimer planar waveguide. Gains of 36 dB cm(-1) at 420 nm and 26 dB cm(-1) at 390 nm in solution and 350 dB cm(-1) in the solid state are obtained. These results show that semiconducting dendrimers have potential as visible laser and amplifier materials.
authors.affiliation: Organic Semiconductor Centre and Ultrafast Photonics Collaboration, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Justin R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Graham A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Turnbull
authors.forename: Ifor D W
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Burn