Spectral, structural, optical and dielectrical studies of UV irradiated Rose Bengal thin films prepared by spin coating technique

Optical properties of pristine and UV irradiated Rose Bengal (RB) films have been investigated using transmittance and reflectance methods. The refractive index(n) and extinction coefficient (k) have been calculated from the absolute values of transmission and reflection spectrum. Single oscillator parameters and Drude model of free carrier absorption have been applied for analysis of the refractive index dispersion. Within the frame work of the band-to-band electron transitions theory; the fundamental absorption edge data were analyzed. Our results suggest that thickness of RB films has no effect on the absorption or the refractive indices in the investigated thicknesses range and within the experimental error. Structural transformation of films from amorphous to polycrystalline has been observed upon UV irradiation. Accordingly, the decreases of all of the absorption coefficient, the energy gap and the refractive index of RB films have been detected. Furthermore, the dependence of the optical functions on UV exposure times has been discussed based on the spectral distribution of the dielectric constant.