A laser device includes a medium container, a gain medium contained in the medium container and optics configured to direct the laser to a sample. The optics preferably include no optical resonator around the gain medium. The gain medium is configured to receive energy to emit a laser and includes a first solvent and a compound dissolved therein. The compound conforms to formula (1): ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are each independently hydrogen or an alkyl group. The laser media can function in both liquid as well as solid state and has shown a high optical gain of the order of 3.2 cm.sup.1 in pulsed and continuous wave modes.

Provided is a laser oscillation element including a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, in which even in a case where the intensity of excitation light is weak, laser oscillation can be induced. The laser oscillation element includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer obtained by cholesteric alignment of a liquid crystal compound, in which in a cross-section of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer observed with a scanning electron microscope, bright portions and dark portions derived from the cholesteric liquid crystalline phase are tilted with respect to a main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer includes a colorant that emits light by excitation, and a luminescence wavelength range of the colorant and a selective reflection wavelength range of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer at least partially overlap each other.

Provided is a laser oscillation element including a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, in which even in a case where the intensity of excitation light is weak, laser oscillation can be induced. The laser oscillation element includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer obtained by cholesteric alignment of a liquid crystal compound, in which in a cross-section of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer observed with a scanning electron microscope, bright portions and dark portions derived from the cholesteric liquid crystalline phase are tilted with respect to a main surface of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer includes a colorant that emits light by excitation, and a luminescence wavelength range of the colorant and a selective reflection wavelength range of the cholesteric liquid crystal layer at least partially overlap each other.

A polystyrene-based chalcone including units of a 1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(2E)-propane-1-one and units of a 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The units of the 1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(2E)-propane-1-one and the units of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate are in a matrix of a polystyrene. A process for preparing the polystyrene-based chalcone and application as a laser medium with fine coating characteristics.

A polystyrene-based chalcone including units of a 1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(2E)-propane-1-one and units of a 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The units of the 1-(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-(2E)-propane-1-one and the units of the 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate are in a matrix of a polystyrene. A process for preparing the polystyrene-based chalcone and application as a laser medium with fine coating characteristics.

A fluid filled fiber for a quasi-phase matched generator and a laser incorporating such a fluid filled fiber. The liquid filled fiber has charge transfer molecules dissolved in a solvent. In another embodiment, the liquid of the LF fiber comprises or consists essentially of highly polar liquids and/or charge transfer molecules having relatively high molecular dipole values. The liquid filled fiber is usable with a laser for differential frequency generation.

A fluid filled fiber for a quasi-phase matched generator and a laser incorporating such a fluid filled fiber. The liquid filled fiber has charge transfer molecules dissolved in a solvent. In another embodiment, the liquid of the LF fiber comprises or consists essentially of highly polar liquids and/or charge transfer molecules having relatively high molecular dipole values. The liquid filled fiber is usable with a laser for differential frequency generation.