Effect of matrix treatment on spectroscopic properties of HCl catalysed sol-gel glasses containing coumarin laser dyes.

Coumarin 1, Coumarin 2 and Coumarin 120 are embedded in transparent sol-gel glass samples prepared by sol-gel process using dip method. The sol-gel matrix is given dip treatment with Methanol /Distilled Water (50/50 vol) for 1 to 16 h before dipping into dye solution. The effect of dipping time of matrix in Methanol/ Distilled Water on spectroscopic properties of coumarin dye doped glass samples has been studied. The Optical Density (OD) at absorption maximum wavelength and Fluorescence Intensity (FI) at fluorescence maximum wavelength of all coumarin dyes increase with the time of dipping of the sol-gel sample. These absorption/fluorescence properties of coumarin dyes in sol-gel glass matrices are compared with its respective properties in methanolic solution in acidic environment. The cause of these changes in OD/FI with dipping time is discussed by taking into account the absorption / fluorescence of dye in acidified methanol.