ABSTRACT
Progress in the chemical synthesis of hybrid matrices has allowed the design and construction of new optical and optoelectronic materials with specific properties for applications in areas of high technical importance, such as light emitting diodes (Burroughes et al., 1990), field effect transistors (Garnier et al., 1994), photodetectors (Kanicky, 1986), solar cells (Huynh et al., 2002) or laser materials (Reisfeld, 2004). In the attempt to develop solid-state dye lasers (SSDL), highly emissive structures based on hybrid materials doped with laser dyes have been synthesized via the solgel technique (García et al., 2008; Reisfeld, 2004). In this way, it is possible to combine in a unique material the advantages of inorganic glasses (high thermal dissipation capability, low thermal expansion and thermal coefficient of refractive index dn/ dT, high damage threshold) (Barnes, 1995; Nikogosian, 1997; Rahn and King, 1998) with those offered by organic polymers (high capability to solve organic dyes, good homogeneity, adaptability to techniques of cheap production, easiness to modify the material’s composition and chemical structure) (Costela et al., 1996, 2001; Duarte, 1994; Gómez-Romero and Sánchez, 2004; Rahn and King, 1998; Sastre and Costela, 1995). However, these materials exhibit some serious limitations such as complex and lengthy synthesis process, fragility that makes mechanization and polishing of the final material difficult and, most important, frequent optical in homogeneity caused by refractive index mismatch between organic and inorganic domains.
