Optical properties of free and substituted porphyrins (PP) doped borate glass matrix are reported for the first time. Absorption spectral measurements of H2TPP, CdTPP, MgTPP and ZnTPP doped borate glass matrix have been made in the 200-1100 nm region and the spectra obtained are analyzed to obtain the optical bandgap (E-g) and other important spectral parameters viz. oscillator strength (f), molar extinction coefficient (epsilon). electric dipole strength (q(2)), absorption cross-section (sigma(a)) and molecular concentration (N). Intense fluorescence was observed in the region 668-685 nm for CdTPP, ZnTPP and MgTPP doped matrices, whereas no such fluorescence was observed in H2TPP doped matrix. Fluorescence intensity was observed to be almost similar in all the metallated porphyrine matrices. Fluorescence bandwidth (Deltalambda), decay time (tau), stimulated emission cross-section (sigma) and optical gain (G) of the principal fluorescence transitions corresponding to the Q-band excitation were also evaluated and discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.