Effect of higher protonation on lasing performance of Rhodamine-B in sol–gel glasses

Three types of Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) impregnated sol–gel samples (mentioned as type-A, type-B, type-C) were prepared. After studying photophysical properties, the dried samples were subjected to laser study under nitrogen laser pumping in a transverse dye laser cavity. Type-B and type-C samples were found to be lasing, while type-A did not show any lasing action. The photostability study of these samples under nitrogen laser pumping showed that Rhodamine-B was more photostable in type-C sol–gel host than in type-B. These results have been explained by taking into account the molecular changes in Rh-B in the sol–gel host matrix.