Growth and Spectroscopic Investigations of Disordered Nd3+:Li3Ba2La3(MoO4)8 Crystal

Nd3+: Li3Ba2La3(MoO4)8 crystal has been grown from a flux of Li2MoO4 by the top seeded solution growth method (TSSG) and its structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve of the crystal were measured. The main spectral parameters were calculated by the Judd-Ofelt theory and compared with other Nd-doped crystals. The broad absorption bands and the large absorption cross sections around 805 nm indicate that the crystal is very suitable for diode-laser pumping. The broad emission bands around 1060 nm show that the crystal is a potential medium for tunable and short pulse lasers. The quantum efficiency of the crystal is up to 95%, which is higher than the value for Nd3+:YVO4 and Nd3+:YAG and comparable to that of other disordered molybdate crystals. The excellent spectroscopic properties show that Nd3+:Li3Ba2La3(MoO4)8 crystal may be regarded as a potential solid state laser host material for diode laser pumping.     

Different crystal morphologies lead to slightly different conformations of light-harvesting complex II as monitored by variations of the intrinsic fluorescence lifetime

In 2005, it was found that the fluorescence of crystals of the major light-harvesting complex LHCII of green plants is significantly quenched when compared to the fluorescence of isolated LHCII (A. A. Pascal et al., Nature, 2005, 436, 134-137). The Raman spectrum of crystallized LHCII was also found to be different from that of isolated LHCII but very similar to that of aggregated LHCII, which has often been considered a good model system for studying nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), the major protection mechanism of plants against photodamage in high light. It was proposed that in the crystal LHCII adopts a similar (quenching) conformation as during NPQ and indeed similar changes in the Raman spectrum were observed during NPQ in vivo (A. V. Ruban et al., Nature, 2007, 450, 575-579). We now compared the fluorescence of various types of crystals, differing in morphology and age. Each type gave rise to its own characteristic mono-exponential fluorescence lifetime, which was 5 to 10 times shorter than that of isolated LHCII. This indicates that fluorescence is not quenched by random impurities and packing defects (as proposed recently by T. Barros et al., EMBO Journal, 2009, 28, 298-306), but that LHCII adopts a particular structure in each crystal type, that leads to fluorescence quenching. Most interestingly, the extent of quenching appears to depend on the crystal morphology, indicating that also the crystal structure depends on this crystal morphology but at the moment no data are available to correlate the crystals' structural changes to changes in fluorescence lifetime.     

Absorption,fluorescence and stimulated fluorescence by polaritons in thin anthracene crystals. A re-interpretation of spectroscopic properties of anthracene

The transmission, absorption (excitation spectra) and fluorescence spectra of thin (? 47 nm) free mounted anthracene flakes have been measured. True absorption in b polarization in the region of the lowest exciton state occurs as a result of scattering by phonons. It has a minimum near the transverse exciton frequency and a maximum near the longitudinal exciton frequency, in agreement with expected polariton behaviour. Thickness dependent polariton states have finite absorption and fluorescence transition probabilities (due to crystal inhomogeneities) and are observed below the transverse exciton frequency. These polariton states represent the energy reservoir for excitation energy in the bulk of the crystal. A surface-induced exciton state is the origin of the sharp line fluorescence from pure crystals and accounts for the high efficiency of stimulated fluorescence at low temperatures. Stimulated fluorescence can also be observed from the polariton modes when excitation occurs in these modes. Resonance interactions between polariton modes and impurity levels represent an important pathway for fluorescence quenching in crystalline anthracene.     

Fluorescence as probe for transport and lateral order in vapor grown Langmuir-Blodgett(LB) multilayer-type single crystals of anthracene chromophores with fatty acid tails

Fluorescence spectra of anthracene moieties with fatty acid tails attached at the 2-position are reported for Langmuir-Blodgett(LB)-type multilayer configurations obtained as single crystals in the gas phase. These systems are considered the best ordered experimental model systems for chromophores with fatty acid tails arranged in the LB multilayer configuration. Closest agreement of the fluorescence spectrum with that of the unsubstituted anthracene crystal is found for the 4-(2-anthryl)-1-butanoic acid (2A4) crystal. Packing of the anthracene moieties is very similar in both crystals. Low-temperature spectra (10 K) reveal strong broadening of the peaks due to spatial disorder in the 2A4 crystal. 7-(2-Anthryl)-1-heptanoic acid (2A7) crystals and even more so actual 2A7 LB multilayers have less structured fluorescence spectra that extend further to lower energies. Picosecond time resolved fluorescence decay curves show exciton transport and trapping in low energy traps. Compressed ground state pairs with excimer-type spatial configurations are excited directly in the red (476 nm) to emit structureless excimer-type fluorescence.     

Fluorescence spectroscopic properties and crystal structure of a series of donor-acceptor diphenylpolyenes

A series of p-nitro-p'-alkoxy(OR)-substituted (E,E,E)-1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrienes (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Et; 1c, R = n-Pr; 1d, R = n-Bu) were prepared. The absorption and fluorescence spectra in solution were almost independent of the alkoxy chain length. The absorption maximum showed only a small dependence on the solvent polarity, whereas the fluorescence maximum red-shifted largely as the polarity increased. The solid-state absorption and fluorescence spectra were red-shifted relative to those in low polar solvents and were clearly dependent on the alkoxy chain length. The fluorescence maxima for the crystals of 1b and 1d were observed at 635-650 nm, which were red-shifted by 40-50 nm relative to those for 1a and 1c. The Stokes shifts were all relatively small (3000-3500 cm-1). For all four compounds, the fluorescence decay curves in the solid state were able to be analyzed by single-exponential fitting to give the lifetimes of 1.1-1.3 ns. This indicates that the emission of 1a-d is not originated from an excimer or molecular aggregates, but from only one emitting monomeric species. The fluorescence quantum yields of 1a-d were considerably high compared with the values for organic solids, which is consistent with their monomeric origin of emission. Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of 1a, 1c, and 1d showed that the crystal packing was dependent on the alkoxy chain length. The crystals of 1a and 1c had herringbone structure, whereas that of 1d had pi-stacked structure. Strong pi-pi interaction in the crystal of 1d would be the cause of the spectral red shifts relative to those for 1a and 1c. No observation of excimer fluorescence from crystal 1d can be attributed to the limited overlap between the pi-planes of the molecules due to its "slipped-parallel" structure.     

Angle-dependent terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of amino acid single crystals

The measurement of absorption spectra using angle-dependent terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy for amino acid single crystals of l-cysteine and l-histidine is reported for the first time. Linearly polarized THz radiation enables us to observe angle-dependent far-infrared absorption spectra of amino acid single crystals and determine the direction of the oscillating dipole of the molecules in the 20-100 cm(-1) range. By comparing the THz spectra of a single crystal and powder, we found that there was a clear hydrogen-bond peak in the crystal spectrum as a result of the larger hydrogen-bond network. The low-temperature THz spectra of amino acid microcrystals showed more intermolecular vibrational modes than those measured at room temperature. An ab initio frequency calculation of a single amino acid molecule was used to predict the intramolecular vibrational modes. The validity of the calculation models was confirmed by comparing the results with experimentally obtained data in the Raman spectral region.     

LiF与MgF_2晶体中离子簇CoF_6~（4－）的电子光谱和吸收光谱的从头算

用量子化学的从头算方法对ＬｉＦ与ＭｇＦ_２晶体中的离子簇ＣｏＦ_６~（４－）的电子结构与吸收光谱进行了计算。计算结果与实验基本一致，说明把ＣｏＦ_６~（４－）放在ＬｉＦ与ＭｇＦ_２的马德隆场中进行从头计算的理论模型是可取的；并澄清了文献用Ｘ_ａ方法对ＣｏＦ_６~（４－）的光谱项对称分类不清楚的地方。     

Enhancement of electronic excitation energy transfer in the colloidal crystals of colloidal silica suspensions doped with fluorescent dyes

The efficiency of electronic excitation energy transfer from photo-excited rhodamine 110 (Rh110, energy donor) to rhodamine B (RhB, energy acceptor) in an exhaustively deionized colloidal silica suspension has been studied. This colloidal suspension shows Bragg reflection due to the formation of colloidal crystals and the Bragg-peak wavelength is controllable by the volume fraction of the silica spheres. When the Bragg-peak wavelength matches with the fluorescence band of Rh110, a depletion was observed in the Rh110 fluorescence spectrum. This means the fluorescence of Rh110 is partially trapped due to the Bragg reflection inside the crystal lattice. In the coexistence of RhB, the enhancement of RhB fluorescence intensity was observed. These facts clearly indicate the trapped photon energy of Rh110 is efficiently transferred to RhB within the colloidal crystals. The quantitative measurements showed that the enhancement of the transfer efficiency is 20% (or slightly more) in the present experimental conditions.     

Spectroscopic and excited-state properties of Tri-9-anthrylborane III: crystal and spectroscopic polymorphisms

We found that tri-9-anthrylborane (TAB) recrystallized from benzene produced both red cubic-like (R-form) and orange hexagon-like crystals (O-form). In both crystal forms, six TAB molecules are arranged in a honeycomb structure in the ab plane and benzene molecules are incorporated in the honeycomb structure, whose spatial geometry and the total number of benzene rings in the unit cell are different between the two forms: polymorphs with a different benzene content. In the R-form crystal, furthermore, interlayer stacking between left- and right-handed helical TAB molecules was observed in the ac plane, while each layer composed of stacked TAB molecules along the c axis was separated by benzene molecules in the O-form crystal, giving rise to more dense packing of TAB in the R-form crystal as compared to that in the O-form. Reflecting the crystal structures of the two forms, the charge transfer (CT) absorption and fluorescence spectra of the R-form crystal were shifted to the longer wavelength as compared to those in the O-form (i.e., crystal and spectroscopic polymorphisms) and, therefore, electronic interactions between TAB were stronger in the R-form as compared to those in the O-form. Furthermore, in addition to the main absorption (lambdamaxa= 499 nm) and fluorescence peaks (lambdamaxf = 570 nm), distinct absorption (lambdaa = approximately 470 nm) and fluorescence bands (lambdaf = approximately 600 nm) were observed for the R-form crystal, while the relevant absorption band in the O-form crystal (lambdaa = approximately 460 nm) or in solution (lambda(a) = approximately 435 nm) was ambiguous. The results were discussed in terms of participation of the higher energy second CT transition in TAB.     

Synthesis, growth, structural, spectroscopic and optical studies of a new semiorganic nonlinear optical crystal: L-valine hydrochloride

Single crystals of a new semiorganic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, L-valine hydrochloride (LVHCl), having dimensions up to 20 mm x 6 mm x 4 mm have been grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm that the grown crystal belongs to the monoclinic system. The functional groups presented in the crystal were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. Optical transmission spectrum shows very low absorption in the entire visible region. Differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses confirmed that the crystal is stable up to 211 degrees C. The powder second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of LVHCl is 1.7 times efficient as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP).     

Effect of sunset yellow dye on morphological,optical, dielectric,thermal and mechanical properties of KDP crystal

Herein, we describe the growth and morphology of well-defined dyed crystals of KH₂PO₄ (potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate; KDP) containing organic azo (sunset yellow; SSY) dye in the {1 0 1} & {0 0 1} pyramidal growth sectors. An understanding on selective dye inclusion in various growth sector of host crystal is proposed, which will help in designing novel tailor-made dyed photonic crystals. The structural analysis and the identification of various functional groups present in as grown KDP crystals were carried out using powder XRD, FTIR and Raman studies. Solid state transmittance spectra for dyed KDP crystals displayed three absorption peaks at 230 nm, 311 nm and 477 nm, which were blue shifted for SSY dye in KDP crystal relative to neutral aqueous solution of SSY dye. These blue shifts in the absorption maxima confirm the successful incorporation of sunset yellow dye into the pyramidal growth sectors of dyed KDP crystals. The band around 409 nm in the photoluminescence emission spectrum indicates a violet emission. SSY dye doped KDP crystals showed enhanced dielectric properties and thermal stability as compared to pure KDP crystal. The mechanical strength of the KDP crystals estimated using Vickers microhardness test was found to decrease with the increase in SSY dye doping.     

Time-Dependent quantum theory. IV. Effect of lattice relaxation on the optical spectra

The absorption and emission spectra of a diatomic “molecule” connected to an unstrained linear crystal are calculated for the circumstance where the diatomic undergoes a change of equilibrium internuclear separation in the electronic transition. The expansion (or contraction) of the diatomic results in a frequency dependent line-width in the customary Lorentzian expression, and is manifested in the absorption spectrum as an asymmetric tailing to the blue, and in the emission spectrum as an asymmetric tailing to the red. The interaction of the diatomic with the lattice also produces a blue-shift of the absorption spectrum and a red-shift of the emission spectrum. An important consequence of the asymmetry is the apparent loss of integrated intensity of the line. The striking similarity, both in the width and the over-all shape, of the emission line calculated here with those observed in the Vegard–Kaplan band of N₂ dissolved in rare gas crystals is discussed.     

Transient EPR emission spectra of a free radical trapped in a single crystal of chloranil

The EPR spectrum of a free trapped in single crystals of chloranil changes its phase from absorption to emission when the crystal is illuminated by visible light. The time evolution of the EPR signal is discussed in terms of the interaction between the doublet species and triplet excitons produced by light excitation.     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer disposable sensor for copper(II)

A disposable sensor has been developed for the measurement of copper(II) concentration in aqueous solution based on a change in the fluorescence of porphyrazine 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraaza-21H,23H-porphine (TP). The sensor was constructed by spin-coating a polyester support with a PVC solution containing TP, a plasticizer, the chelating agent Zincon and the ion-pairing benzetonium chloride. The measurement principle is based on the radiationless resonance energy transfer (RET) from TP immobilized in membrane, and acting as fluorescence donor, to Zincon acting as an acceptor induced by copper(II). The absorption spectrum of the Zincon-Cu(II) complex presents adequate overlapping with the emission spectrum of TP, producing a useful analytical signal by the RET process.The disposable sensor responds to copper(II) irreversibly over a dynamic range from 0.039 to 14 μmol L⁻¹ (2.5-890 μg L⁻¹) with a sensor-to-sensor reproducibility (relative standard deviation RSD) of 1.9%, as log aCu2+, at the medium level of the range and a response time of 10 min. The performance of the optical disposable sensor was tested for the analysis of copper in different types of natural waters (river, well, spring and swimming pool), validating results against a reference procedure.     

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and optical absorption spectra of Cr3+ in zinc maleate tetrahydrate single crystals

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and optical absorption spectra of Cr³⁺ ions doped in single crystals of zinc maleate tetrahydrate (ZMTH) have been studied at room temperature (300 K). The EPR spectra exhibit a group of three fine structure transitions, characteristic of the Cr³⁺ ion. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin-Hamiltonian and zero-field splitting parameters have been determined. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits two broad bands characteristic of Cr³⁺ ions in octahedral symmetry. From the observed spectrum, the crystal field parameters have been evaluated.     

Synthesis growth and characterization of l-valine nickel (II) chloride

A new semi organic nonlinear optical crystal, l-valine nickel chloride has been synthesized and good optical quality single crystals were grown by slow evaporation technique. The growth conditions of the crystals are studied and the grown crystals are confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction studies. The grown crystal was characterized by using powdered XRD, FT-IR, UV?CVis?CNIR, EDAX, and TG?CDTA. The crystalline nature and its various planes of reflections were observed by the powder XRD. The presence of various functional groups was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopic technique. The UV?CVis?CNIR spectrum indicates that the crystal has very good absorption in the entire visible and near IR region spectrum suggesting the suitability of the material for NLO applications. The decomposition temperatures and mass loss have been estimated from the thermogravimetric analysis.     

EPR, optical and infrared absorption studies of Mn2+ ions doped in zinc malate trihydrate single crystal

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have been carried out on Mn2+ ions doped in zinc malate trihydrate single crystals in the temperature range 123-413 K on X-band frequency. The EPR spectrum at room temperature exhibits a group of five fine structure transitions each splits into six hyperfine components. Angular variation studies reveal that Mn2+ ions enter the lattice substitutionally. From the observed EPR spectrum, the spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is measured. From the optical absorption spectrum, the crystal field splitting parameter Dq and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters B and C have been evaluated. The infrared spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of the carboxylic acid salts.     

PHYCOBILIPROTEINS: COMPARISON OF SOLUTION AND SINGLE CRYSTAL FLUORESCENCE FOR C-PHYCOCYANIN AND B-PHYCOERYTHRIN*

Abstract— Trimeric and hexameric solution forms of C-phycocyanin (CPC) from the cyanophyte Agme-nellum quadruplicatum have been isolated and their spectral properties compared to those obtained from single crystals. Although the absorbance peak of a suspension of small C-phycocyanin crystals is red-shifted only 7 nm relative to the solution forms, the single crystal fluorescence is red-shifted 60 nm relative to the solution forms. The crystal fluorescence spectrum exhibits a single peak at LD_max= 708 nm when excited at 514.5 or 530.9 nm and two peaks (LD_max= 661 and 708 nm) when excitation occurs at 568.2 nm. Fluorescence depolarization measurements indicate that extensive energy transfer could occur for both solution and crystal forms with the latter being dependent upon the relative orientation of the crystal with respect to the excitation dipole. Similar results were obtained with B-phycoerythrin (BPE) from the red alga Porphyridium cruentum where the single crystal fluorescence is red-shifted =50nm relative to the solution spectra with two peaks (LD_max= 583 and 617 nm) observed whose relative intensities are dependent on the excitation wavelength (LD_max– 514.5 and 530.9 nm). Single crystal fluorescent lifetimes exhibited considerable shortening relative to that observed for the solution forms. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to the possible relationships of the crystalline structures to the assembly forms present within phycobilisomes.     

Growth and characterization of glycine picrate single crystal

Glycine picrate (GP), an organic material, was synthesized and successfully grown by solution growth method. Cell parameters of the grown crystals were obtained from the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and the presence of functional groups was identified by FTIR study. Its optical properties were examined by UV-vis-NIR analysis, which shows that the crystal is transparent between the wavelengths 400 nm and 1000 nm. Thermal analysis carried out for the glycine picrate reveals that the crystal exhibits a single sharp weight loss at 214 degrees C. The fluorescence spectrum of glycine picrate was recorded. The Vicker's microhardness values were measured for the grown crystal.     

Steps to demarcate the effects of chromophore aggregation and planarization in poly(phenyleneethynylene)s. 2. The photophysics of 1,4-diethynyl-2-fluorobenzene in solution and in crystals

Crystals of 1,4-bis(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-butynyl)-2-fluorobenzene 4 have a rich packing structure with four distinct molecules in the unit cell. A complex hydrogen bonding network results in the formation of cofacial trimers, cofacial dimers, and monomers within the same unit cell. Given a remarkable opportunity to investigate the effect of aggregation on the photophysics of 1,4-diethynylbenzenes, we analyzed the absorption, diffuse reflectance, and emission spectra of compound 4 in solutions and in crystals. Diffuse reflectance and fluorescence excitation revealed a red-shifted absorption that is absent in dilute solution but becomes observable at high concentrations and low temperatures. The fluorescence emission in the solid state is dual with components assigned to monomers and aggregates. The excitation and emission assigned to the monomer are nearly identical in crystals and dilute solutions. The absorption and emission bands assigned to aggregates are broad and red-shifted by 60--80 nm. As expected for a sample with absorbers and emitters with different energies and incomplete equilibration, efficient monomer-to-aggregate energy transfer was observed by a proper selection of excitation wavelengths. The fluorescence quantum yield of 4 in solution is relatively low (Phi(F) = 0.15) and the singlet lifetime short (tau(F) = 3.8 ns). A lower limit for the triplet yield of Phi(T) = 0.64 was determined indirectly in solution by (1)O(2) sensitization, and a relatively strong and long-lived phosphorescence was observed in low-temperature glasses and in crystals at 77 K.