Steady-state absorption and emission measurements for an infrared (IR) dye have been reported. Measurements in liquid solutions and in hybrid organic/inorganic zirconia-based thin films synthesized with a sol-gel technique have been carried out. The optical properties of films as a function of the densification temperature have also been investigated. The results are discussed in terms of the presence of monomer and dimer species of the dye and of the physical and chemical interactions with the host matrix.