Measuring the gain dynamics in a conjugated polymer film

We present a simple method for measuring the gain decay time in a conjugated polymer film by optically exciting the film with two mutually delayed ultrashort pump pulses. When the pump is set at such a power level that amplified spontaneous emission marginally develops along the polymer waveguide, the total output emitted from its edge decays exponentially as a function of the interpulse delay. The corresponding decay time represents the decay time of the gain of the polymer material.