• Rebollo, Francisco Javier Aparicio

Abstract

Dye molecules embedded in different matrices in the form of thin films are the basis of specific materials used for laser cavities, optical filters, optical gas sensors, etc. In the present communication we discuss a new methodology based on the remote microwave plasma assisted deposition of dye containing thin films that circumvent the above mentioned problems. It permits a tailored synthesis of optically active nanometric thin films containing dye molecules which are active as fluorescence emitters (i.e., coloured and fluorescent films). The principle of this new procedure is the partial polymerization of dye molecules that are evaporated over a substrate while exposed to a remote microwave Ar plasma. As a result of this process a polymeric thin film is produced in one step where some dye molecules keep intact their optical activity (although eventually, their optical response can be slightly modified by matrix effects). This methodology has been recently used for the deposition of novel plasma nanocomposites containing non-aggregated laser dyes to maximize the fluorescent emission of the materials and for the fabrication of optical NO2 sensing nanocomposites. To illustrate the possibilities of the technique we present here results for different fluorescent dye molecules, as perylene dyes, and several xanthene and oxazine derivative cationic dyes which are typically used as gain media in tuneable laser dyes. The luminescent, optical and sensing properties of these dye containing nanocomposites will be presented. These active optical layers are being developed for the fabrication of photonic sensor devices, optical filters and photonic chips (PHODYE EU Project). This is due to the full compatibility of the synthetic methodology with the present integrated microelectronic and optoelectronic technology. The possibilities for the fabrication of photonic devices integrating these active optical layers will be demonstrated. Especial attention will be paid to recent results about the incorporation of the luminescent films in photonic crystals and about the conformal growth of luminescent planar defects within artificial opals.

Topics

• Deposition
• nanocomposite
• impedance spectroscopy
• thin film
• defect