Development of optically active aerogels

The objective of this work is to develop the methodology to incorporate specified concentrations of dye molecules within a silica aerogel matrix. Secondary goals are to determine the optical characteristics of the dye-doped aerogel and to determine how the dye molecules are held within the silica matrix. Fluorescence and UV-YIS spectra are used to characterize the dye-doped aerogel. Such spectra can give information about how the dye molecules are bound within the aerogel matrix. 13 figs., 1 tab.