Reversible photodegradation through chromophore-polymer interactions in disperse orange 11 dye-doped PMMA thin films

We study the role of polymer-chromophore and chromophore-chromophore interactions in reversible photodegradation of Disperse Orange 11 dye-doped thin films using temperature dependent studies of amplified spontaneous emission for several dye concentrations. The temperature dependence of the process determines both the ground state energies of the species involved and the role of the polymer; and, the concentration dependence gives information about the role of dye-dye interactions. We find that the material is more resistant to photo-damage at higher dye concentrations. This data is used to validate a new model of the process.