title: Optical gain from the open form of a photochromic molecule in the solid state.
abstract: This work presents evidence for line-narrowing from the UV photoexcited open form of the photochromic molecule, indolinospiropyran (1',3'-dihydro-1',3',3'-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro [2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-(2H)-indole]) in the solid state. The line-narrowing is attributable to amplified spontaneous emission induced by optical gain and assisted by the waveguiding within the organic film. Optical gain throughout a band as large as 28 nm, with a maximum gain coefficient of 5.6 cm(-1), is observed in the merocyanine emission region (660-730 nm). These results open the way to the realization of hybrid devices based on the coupling between photochromic behavior and stimulated emission from conjugated molecules, such as lasing optical memories, and lasers gated by optical molecular switches.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pisignano
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mele
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Persano
authors.forename: Athanassia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Athanassiou
authors.forename: Costas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fotakis
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cingolani