Amplified spontaneous emission of 3-(1,1-dicyanoethenyl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole molecule embedded in various polymer matrices

► Amplified spontaneous emission of DCNP compound doped to different polymeric matrices has been measured. ► Exponential gain coefficients has been estimated using Shank technique for different matrices. ► The PMMA matrix has shown very good temporal photostability, over 30,000 pulses. ► For the PVK matrix the threshold of the amplified spontaneous emission was the lowest. ► The emission properties DCNP compound in PMMA matrix are due to the process of dopant recrystallization. Results of studies on the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) phenomenon in 3-(1,1-dicyanoethenyl)-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole (DCNP) molecules in four different polymeric matrices are reported. We have analyzed ASE spectra coming from thin films of DCNP-matrix samples when excited by the Nd:YAG nanosecond pulsed laser doubled in frequency (λ=532nm). We report on ASE characteristics in function of different excitation pulse energy densities evaluating ASE thresholds, exponential gain coefficients and reporting the influence of the specific matrix–dye interactions on the photo-degradation process of the dye.