Ultrafast Investigation of Excited-State Dynamics in Trans-4-methoxyazobenzene Studied by Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

The ultrafast photoisomerization and excited-state dynamics of trans-4-methoxyazobenzene (trans-4-MAB) in solutions were investigated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. After being excited to the S\begin{document}$_2$\end{document} state, the two-dimensional transient absorptions spectra show that cis-4-MAB is produced and witnessed by the permanent positive absorption in 400\begin{document}$-$\end{document}480 nm. Three decay components are determined to be 0.11, 1.4 and 2.9 ps in ethanol, and 0.16, 1.5 and 7.5 ps in ethylene glycol, respectively. The fast component is assigned to the internal conversion from the S\begin{document}$_2$\end{document} to S\begin{document}$_1$\end{document} state. The other relaxation pathways are correlated with the decay of the S\begin{document}$_1$\end{document} state via internal conversion and isomerization, and the vibrational cooling of the hot S\begin{document}$_0$\end{document} state of the cis-isomer. Comparing of the dynamics in different solvents, it is demonstrated that the photoisomerization pathway undergoes the inversion mechanism rather than the rotation mechanism.     

Molecular Vibronic Structures of HDITC in Solutions Studied by Femtosecond Wavelength-Resolved Pump-Probe Spectroscopy

Wavelength-resolved pump-probe measurements using 11 fs duration pulses were performed to study the vibronic structures of HDITC, a cyanine dye, in ethylene glycol. Ten vibrational modes were observed in the forms of quantum beats. The frequencies of these ten vibrational modes ranged from 135 cm^?1 to 1300 cm^?1. The relative potential displacements along these ten vibrational coordinates were estimated by comparison with theoretical calculations.     

Ultrafast Excited State Dynamics of t~rans-4-Aminoazobenzene Studied by Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

The ultrafast excited state dynamics of trans-4-aminoazobenzene （trans-4-AAB） in ethanol was investigated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. After being excited to the S2 state by 400 nm, trans-4-AAB decays from the S2 state to the hot S1 state by internal conversion with time constant of -70 fs. The photoisomerization through inversion mechanism on the S1 potential energy surface and the internal conversion from the S1 state to the hot So state are observed, respectively. The average timescale of these two decay pathways is -0.7 ps. And the vibrational cooling of the hot So state of cis- and trans-4- AAB occur with time constants of -4 and N13 ps, respectively. Furthermore, the ultrafast intersystem crossing process are also observed. The timescale of intersystem crossing from the S2 state to the T4 state is about 480 ps while from the S1 state to the T2 state is -180 ps.     

用正电子湮没谱学研究氯化稀土在NaY沸石上的分散

用正电子湮没谱学研究氯化富铈稀土与NaY沸石机械混合形成的稀土NaY沸石(RE-NaY)中,氯化稀土在NaY中的分散．分别测量不同质量比的RE-NaY(1％-20％)经500℃烘烤1h,RE-NaY(5％)经过不同温度烘烤1h,以及RE-NaY(5％)经500℃烘烤不同时间后的正电子寿命谱．所有寿命谱都出现了5个寿命分量,其中第3,4,5寿命分别与β笼、超笼及沸石微粒界面空洞的大小和数量相关．实验表明了正电子湮没谱学能敏感地表征氯化稀土在NaY中的分散．     

Femtosecond Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Optical Properties of aza-BODIPY Derivatives in Solution

The fast relaxation processes in the excited electronic states of functionalized aza-boron-dipyrromethene (aza-BODIPY) derivatives ( 1 – 4 ) were investigated in liquid media at room temperature, including the linear photophysical, photochemical, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties. Optical gain was revealed for nonfluorescent derivatives 3 and 4 in the near infrared (NIR) spectral range under femtosecond excitation. The values of two-photon absorption (2PA) and excited-state absorption (ESA) cross-sections were obtained for 1–4 in dichloromethane using femtosecond Z-scans, and the role of bromine substituents in the molecular structures of 2 and 4 is discussed. The nature of the excited states involved in electronic transitions of these dyes was investigated using quantum-chemical TD-DFT calculations, and the obtained spectral parameters are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. Significant 2PA (maxima cross-sections ∼2000 GM), and large ESA cross-sections ∼10⁻²⁰ m² of these new aza-BODIPY derivatives 1–4 along with their measured high photostability reveal their potential for photonic applications in general and optical limiting in particular.     

乙二醇的分子间氢键结构动力学的飞秒非线性红外光谱

利用稳态线性红外光谱和飞秒泵浦-探测红外光谱技术, 研究了在乙腈(MeCN)、丙酮(AC)、四氢呋喃(THF)和二甲基亚砜(DMSO)溶剂中乙二醇(EG)的结构和羟基(―OH)伸缩振动动力学. 结果表明, 乙二醇的―OH伸缩振动的频率位置、峰宽以及振动弛豫动力学都表现出强烈的溶剂依赖性. 乙二醇溶液中至少存在两种形式的分子间氢键, 一种是溶质-溶剂团簇的分子间氢键, 另一种是溶质-溶质团簇的分子间氢键. 量子化学计算预测的―OH伸缩振动频率的溶剂依赖性与我们的红外光谱实验观测结果一致. 进一步, 我们发现在乙腈中参与形成溶质-溶剂团簇氢键的乙二醇―OH伸缩振动具有最慢的弛豫动力学, 丙酮和四氢呋喃次之, 而最快的弛豫动力学过程发生在二甲基亚砜中. 在每一溶剂条件下, 乙二醇/乙二醇溶质团簇中―OH伸缩振动弛豫都更快一些. 本文结果有助于认识在溶质-溶质、溶质-溶剂分子团簇共存的体系中不同分子间氢键的结构动力学特性.     

傅立叶变换激光腔内吸收光谱方法研究吸收谱线的强度与线形

Based on Fourier-transform intra-cavity laser absorption spectroscopy (FT-ICLAS) setup reported, a signal differential module is introduced to reduce the noise rising from the fluctuation of the laser power and to improve the quality of the interferogram obtained in the experiment. The capability to do quantitative measurement was demonstrated by recording the atmospheric oxygen absorption near 760 nm. The v=6 local mode stretching overtone spectra of phosphine were recorded with different sample pressure. The pressure caused self-broadening and line shift parameters of this band were achieved.     

Electronic Structure of EuMo6Se8 Studied by X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy

The rare-earth based molybdenum chalcogenides, REMo₆Se₈ (RE = rare-earth metals) have been extensively studied because of their unique crystal structure based on Mo₆Se₈ clusters and their outstanding properties involving coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism. Among all these compounds, Ce and Eu based chalcogenides are magnetic and non-superconductors and possess many novel properties. Understanding their electronic structure is likely to provide valuable information about these materials. We employ X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at Mo and Se K-edges of EuMo₆Se₈ to identify the local environment respectively around Mo and Se ions and XANES spectra at L₃-edge of Eu ion to identify their valence state. Results from this study demonstrate that Se ions in EuMo₆Se₈ are in two inequivalent sites and the valency of Eu is divalent.     

Ultrafast Excited-State Decay Mechanisms of 6-Thioguanine Followed by Sub-20 fs UV Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Understanding the primary steps following UV photoexcitation in sulphur-substituted DNA bases (thiobases) is fundamental for developing new phototherapeutic drugs. However, the investigation of the excited-state dynamics in sub-100 fs time scales has been elusive until now due to technical challenges. Here, we track the ultrafast decay mechanisms that lead to the electron trapping in the triplet manifold for 6-thioguanine in an aqueous solution, using broadband transient absorption spectroscopy with a sub-20 fs temporal resolution. We obtain experimental evidence of the fast internal conversion from the S₂(ππ*) to the S₁(nπ*) states, which takes place in about 80 fs and demonstrates that the S₁(nπ*) state acts as a doorway to the triplet population in 522 fs. Our results are supported by MS-CASPT2 calculations, predicting a planar S₂(ππ*) pseudo-minimum in agreement with the stimulated emission signal observed in the experiment.     

Dynamics of Photoelectrons and Structural Changes of Tungsten Trioxide Observed by Femtosecond Transient XAFS

The dynamics of the local electronic and geometric structures of WO₃ following photoexcitation were studied by femtosecond time‐resolved X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy using an X‐ray free electron laser (XFEL). We found that the electronic state was the first to change followed by the local structure, which was affected within 200 ps of photoexcitation.     

β‐Carotene Revisited by Transient Absorption and Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy

β‐Carotene in n‐hexane was examined by femtosecond transient absorption and stimulated Raman spectroscopy. Electronic change is separated from vibrational relaxation with the help of band integrals. Overlaid on the decay of S₁ excited‐state absorption, a picosecond process is found that is absent when the C₉‐methyl group is replaced by ethyl or isopropyl. It is attributed to reorganization on the S₁ potential energy surface, involving dihedral angles between C₆ and C₉. In Raman studies, electronic states S₂ or S₁ were selected through resonance conditions. We observe a broad vibrational band at 1770 cm^?1 in S₂ already. With 200 fs it decays and transforms into the well‐known S₁ Raman line for an asymmetric C=C stretching mode. Low‐frequency activity (<800 cm^?1) in S₂ and S₁ is also seen. A dependence of solvent lines on solute dynamics implies intermolecular coupling between β‐carotene and nearby n‐hexane molecules.     

电化学和紫外-可见吸收光谱法研究pH和金纳米粒子对细胞色素c的影响

制备了粒径均匀、平均粒子尺度为(4.7±0.6)nm,表面修饰3-巯基丙酸(MPA)的金纳米粒子(AuNPs).利用电化学和紫外-可见(UV-Vis)吸收光谱研究了pH和AuNPs对细胞色素c(Cytc)结构的影响.UV-Vis吸收光谱结果表明,pH为7.5-3.0时,Cytc和Cytc-AuNPs复合物的结构没有发生明显变化.当pH=2.0时,Cytc和Cytc-AuNPs复合物的Soret谱峰位置均发生明显移动,说明pH诱导其构象发生变化.循环伏安(CV)结果表明,表面修饰了MPA的AuNPs能促进Cytc和电极之间的电子传输,与修饰了柠檬酸根的AuNPs相比,其生物兼容性更好.pH的变化会引起CV中Cytc峰电流的改变和峰电位的移动.随着pH值的降低,Cytc电活性的量逐渐减小,并且pH诱导Cytc发生不可逆变性.AuNPs的引入使自由态的Cytc耐酸性增强,而使得吸附态的Cytc耐酸能力减弱.     

Ultrafast Dynamics of Defect-Assisted Carrier Capture in MoS2 Nanodots Investigated by Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

MoS₂ nanodots are emerging as promising semiconductor materials for optoelectronic devices. However, most of the recent attention is focused on the fabrication of MoS₂ nanodots, and the survey for exciton dynamics of MoS₂ nanodots remains less explored. Herein, we use femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to investigate the carrier dynamics of MoS₂ nanodots. Our results show that defect-assisted carrier recombination processes are well consistent with the observed dynamics. The photo-excited carriers are captured by defects with at least two different capture rates via Auger scattering. Four processes are deemed to take part in the carrier relaxation. After photoexcitation, carrier cooling occurs instantly within ~0.5 ps. Then most of carriers are fast captured by the defects, and the corresponding time constant increases from ~4.9 ps to ~9.2 ps with increasing pump fluence, which may be interpreted by saturation of the defect states. Next a small quantity of carriers is captured by the other kinds of defects with a relatively slow carrier capture time within ~65 ps. Finally, the remaining small fraction of carriers relaxes via direct interband electron-hole recombination within ~1 ns. Our results may lead to deep insight into the fundamentals of carrier dynamics in MoS₂ nanodots, paving the way for their further applications.     

Hidden Relaxation Channels in Aqueous Methylene Blue after Functionalization of Graphene Oxide Probed by Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

The mixture of graphene oxide (GO) and dye molecules may provide some new applications due to unique electronic, optical, and structural properties. Methylene blue (MB), a typical anionic dye, can attach on GO via π-π stacking and electrostatic interaction, and the molecule removal process on GO has been observed. However, it remains unclear about the ultrafast carrier dynamics and the internal energy transfer pathways of the system which is composed of GO and MB. We have employed ultrafast optical pump-probe spectroscopy to investigate the excited dynamics of the GO-MB system dispersed in water by exciting the samples at 400 nm pump pulse. The pristine MB and GO dynamics are also analyzed in t_andem for a direct comparison. Utilizing the global analysis to fit the measured signal via a sequential model, five lifetimes are acquired:(0.61±0.01) ps, (3.52±0.04) ps, (14.1±0.3) ps, (84±2) ps, and (3.66±0.08) ns. The ultrafast dynamics corresponding to these lifetimes was analyzed and the new relaxation processes were found in the GO-MB system, compared with the pristine MB. The results reveal that the functionalization of GO can alter the known decay pathways of MB via the energy transfer from GO to MB in system, the increased intermediate state, and the promoted energy transfer from triplet state MB to ground state oxygen molecules dissolved in aqueous sample.     

Extensive Reduction in Back Electron Transfer in Twisted Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer (TICT) Coumarin‐Dye‐Sensitized TiO2 Nanoparticles/Film: A Femtosecond Transient Absorption Study

We report the synthesis, characterization, and optical and electrochemical properties of two structurally similar coumarin dyes ( C1 and C2 ). These dyes have been deployed as sensitizers in TiO₂ nanoparticles and thin films, and the effect of molecular structure on interfacial electron‐transfer dynamics has been studied. Steady‐state optical absorption, emission, and time‐resolved emission studies on both C1 and C2 , varying the polarity of the solvent and the solution pH, suggest that both photoexcited dyes exist in a locally excited (LE) state in solvents of low polarity. In highly polar solvents, however, C1 exists in an intramolecular charge‐transfer (ICT) state, whereas C2 exists in both ICT and twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer (TICT) states, their populations depending on the degree of polarity of the solvent and the pH of the solution. We have employed femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to monitor the charge‐transfer dynamics in C1 ‐ and C2 ‐sensitized TiO₂ nanoparticles and thin films. Electron injection has been confirmed by direct detection of electrons in the conduction band of TiO₂ nanoparticles and of radical cations of the dyes in the visible and near‐IR regions of the transient absorption spectra. Electron injection in both the C1 /TiO₂ and C2 /TiO₂ systems has been found to be pulse‐width limited (<100 fs); however, back‐electron‐transfer (BET) dynamics has been found to be slower in the C2 /TiO₂ system than in the C1 /TiO₂ system. The involvement of TICT states in C2 is solely responsible for the higher electron injection yield as well as the slower BET process compared to those in the C1 /TiO₂ system. Further pH‐dependent experiments on C1 ‐ and C2 ‐sensitized TiO₂ thin films have corroborated the participation of the TICT state in the slower BET process in the C2 /TiO₂ system.     

Phase Transition in Trans and Cis-1,2-Cyclohexanediol Studied by Infrared Spectroscopy

The study of trans- and cis-1,2-cyclohexanediol by infrared spectroscopy was performed. The variation of the maximum frequency and of the bandwidth of the OH stretching vibration give evidence of the role played by hydrogen bonding in the solid and liquid phases of both isomers and allows to follow the phase transitions. A solid rotator phase is shown for the cis compound.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

飞秒光学外差光学克尔效应和低频拉曼光谱技术研究离子液体[bmim][PF6]的低频光谱

利用飞秒光学外差光学克尔效应技术获得了咪唑类离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑六氟磷酸盐([bmim][PF6])体系中反映分子间相互作用的低频光谱. 结果分析中, 利用Brownian振子时间相关函数的精确表达式对光学克尔效应动力学数据中的核振动部分进行模拟, 在时域上获得各个振动组分的时间演化行为, 并进而通过快速Fourier变换获得各个振动组分的频域光谱和总加和光谱. 此外还利用低频拉曼光谱技术测量了离子液体[bmim][PF6]的低频光谱, 并和飞秒光学外差光学克尔效应实验的结果进行对比, 发现两种方法获得的低频光谱相近. 实验结果表明Brownian振子时间相关函数的精确表达式可用来解析离子液体体系中低频振动的时间演化行为.     

Coherent Exciton-Phonon Coupling in CdSe/ZnS Nanocrystals Studied by Two-Dimensional Electronic Spectroscopy

Coherent exciton-phonon coupling in CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals have been investigated by temperature-dependent two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) measurements. Benefiting from the ability of 2DES to dissect assembles in nanocrystal films, we have clearly identified experimental evidences of coherent coupling between exciton and phonon in CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. In time domain, 2DES signals of excitonic transitions beat at a frequency resonant to a longitudinal optical phonon mode; in energy domain, phonon side bands are distinct at both Stokes and anti-Stokes sides. When temperature increases, phonon-induced exciton dephasing is observed with dramatic broadening of homogeneous linewidth. The results suggest exciton-phonon coupling is essential in elucidating the quantum dynamics of excitonic transitions in semiconductor nanocrystals.