Biscoumarins - New Laser Dyes in Coumarin Series

With a view to extend the tunability range using new derivatives in the coumarin series of dyes, a novel series have been synthesized, viz. the biscoumarins where two coumarin nuclei are coupled. These are studied for their lasing characteristics, optical spectra and quantum efficiencies. Laser spectra of these dyes in various solvents are also studied. Tunability range of these dyes have been found to cover blue green region of the spectrum and though there is shift to longer wavelength as compared to monocoumarins, extending the tunability range, it is not as much as would be normally expected with extended conjugation involving two coumarin nucled.