Microporous glass-polymer composite as a new material for solid-state dye lasers: I. Material properties

The mechanical, optical, and thermooptical properties of a microporous glass-polymer (MPG – P) composite used as a matrix for solid-state dye lasers are studied. It is shown that the composite has a high mechanical hardness, good transparency, excellent thermooptical parameters, and high laser damage resistance, and can be also readily doped with various dyes. The analysis of physical properties of the MPG – P composite showed its advantages over other solid matrices (bulk polymers and sol-gel glasses) for applications in efficient solid-state dye lasers.