Porous silica for solid-state optical devices

The investigation of the optical properties of porous silica samples is presented. Optical spectroscopy measurements, including Raman scattering, steady state and time resolved photoluminescence, optical absorption and excitation of photoluminescence are reported. The chapter reviews the results of the research we carried out upon the emission features of porous silica in the ultraviolet and visible wavelength range and the characterization of the emission properties of dye-doped sol-gel synthesized silica samples. In particular, the study of the emission band recorded at about 3.7 eV and its correlation with the chemical and physical conditions of the surface is discussed. As regards dye-doped silica samples, the analysis of the spectroscopic features of pre- and post-doped hybrid samples is presented and their potential feasibility as solid state dye laser is proposed.