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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Polymeric, planar waveguides of pyrromethene dye 1,3,5,7, 8-pentamethyl-2, 6-diethylpyrromethene-BF2 (PM567)-doped poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) were prepared by spin coating (SC) and solution diffusion (SD) methods. Both techniques produced films that, under laser illumination, show strong spectral narrowing due to amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). Samples prepared by SD showed higher gain than the SC films. Also, compared to the SC samples, the smooth surface of the SD samples reduced scattering at the surface and therefore guding losses. The high dye concentration present in the SD samples may be responsible for the increased photostability (more than 105 pulses). The SD method appears to offer a simple alternative for the production of planar wave-guides for amplifier devices.