9732820 Vardeny This proposal by Professor Z. Vardeny of the Department of Physics of the University of Utah describes research on semiconducting polymers which offer promise as new lasing materials. The research will be conducted by members of a Focused Research Group which will investigate the various properties of these materials. These systems of semiconducting polymers are not yet sufficiently well understood and there is at present significant controversy about the results of experiments and their interpretation. This research will attempt to provide answers to critical questions on the origin of the amplified emission from PPV and related polymers. The roles of superfluorescence, superradiance, and amplified spontaneous emission will be addressed in this research. The Utah group will attack these problems and will thereby contribute to clearing up misunderstandings and misinterpretations through carefully conducted experiments and theoretical analyses. This basic research has the potential of making a great impact if solid state organic lasers can be produced in a technologically reliable manner. %%% This proposal by Professor Z. Vardeny of the Department of Physics of the University of Utah describes research on semiconducting polymers which offer promise as new lasing materials. The research will be conducted by members of a Focused Research Group which will investigate the various properties of these materials. These systems of semiconducting polymers are not yet sufficiently well understood and there is at present significant controversy about the results of experiments and their interpretation. This research will attempt to provide answers to critical questions on the origin of the amplified emission from PPV and related polymers. The roles of superfluorescence, superradiance, and amplified spontaneous emission will be addressed in this research. The Utah group will attack these problems and will thereby contribute to clearing up misunderstandings and misinterpretations through carefully conducted experiments and theoretical analyses. This basic research has the potential of making a great impact if solid state organic lasers can be produced in a technologically reliable manner. ***
