Solvent-vapour treatment induced performance enhancement of amplified spontaneous emission based on poly2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1, 4-phenylene vinylene

In this work, performance enhancements of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from poly2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene (MEH-PPV) have been achieved via solvent vapour treatment. Correlations between the morphology of the film and the optical performance of polymer-based ASE are investigated. The active layers are characterised by atomic force microscopy and optical absorption. The results show that the solvent-vapour treatment can induce the MEH-PPV self-organisation into an ordered structure with a smooth surface, leading to enhanced optical gain. Thus the solvent-vapour treatment is a good method for improving the optical properties of the MEH-PPV.