Practical method for obtaining spectral distribution of gain in energy transfer dye lasers: comparison of theory and...

A general theoretical model which permits theoretical predictions of the total transfer efficiency and hence identification of the appropriate energy transfer mechanisms responsible for gain enhancement in energy transfer dye lasers is developed. This model takes into account contributions due to both radiative and nonradiative transfer as well as contributions due to direct excitation of the acceptor. The theoretical predictions derived are compared with the experimental results of a laser dye mixture composed of coumarin 1 (donor) and acriflavine (acceptor) and are shown to be in excellent agreement with experimental results. The method developed is shown to be effective for predicting laser gain line shapes (and hence tunability) as well as fluorescence emission spectra of dye mixtures.