Preparation and characterization of pyrromethene-567 dye-doped polymer samples using Gamma Irradiation Polymerization Method (GIPM)

Dye-doped polymer gain media laser samples of pyrromethene-567 in a mixture with methyl methactylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer have been prepared and synthesized by the Conventional Thermal Polymerization Method (CTPM) using an oven, and by the Gamma Irradiation Polymerization Method (GIPM) using Cobalt-60 (Co-60). Physical properties comprising absorption molar coefficients, absorption cross sections, fluorescence quantum yields, fluorescence life times, and emission cross sections were determined and calculated from the measured absorption and emission spectra. The efficiency and photo-stability of samples fabricated by both methods were measured and compared. The time required for synthesis was reduced by 90% using the GIPM. Complete polymerization of the GIPM sample was found to be at 7 kGy. Further, the GIPM produces high laser damage resistance material, which might be attributed to the highly dense polymeric network structure formed as a result of the effect of gamma radiation on MMA and HEMA monomers. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.