Improved Laser Performance of Carbon‐Bridged Oligo(p‐phenylenevinylene)s Through σ‐π Conjugation with Silyl Groups

Abstract All‐solution processed organic distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are attractive devices for a variety of applications. Among many classes of active laser materials, carbon‐bridged oligo( p ‐phenylenevinylene)s (COPV m ), particularly those with repeating unit of m ≥ 3, have demonstrated well‐balanced and excellent performance for that purpose. However, the blue‐emitting shorter COPV m (with m = 1,2) face significant challenges in terms of photostability and excitation energy for lasing (threshold). Here, the effectiveness of σ‐π conjugation to improve these properties of COPV2 is demonstrated by functionalizing its terminal positions with silyl groups. This study includes the synthesis and optical characterization of two COPV2 derivates, COPV2 – Si _n ( n = 1 and 2) dispersed in polystyrene films. Both compounds show amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) at ≈480 nm over a wide range of concentrations (1–30 wt.%), with COPV2 – Si ₂ exhibiting a lower ASE threshold and longer operational durability than parent COPV2. The potential of these materials has been further demonstrated through the construction of DFB lasers with top‐layer polymeric resonators.