Electronic and optical properties of magnesium phthalocyanine (MgPc) solid films studied by soft X-ray excited optical luminescence and X-ray absorption spectroscopies

In a study to link the optical and structural properties of solid films of magnesium Phthalocyanine (MgPc), a range of synchrotron based spectroscopic methods have been used. These include X-ray excited optical luminescence (XEOL) together with X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measured both by total electron yield methods (TEY) and by using the optically detected photoluminescence yield method (PLY). XEOL spectra below K shell threshold show a broad emission peak at approximately 860 nm which can be attributed to the optical Q-band of these organic systems, which is then suppressed above the threshold. The shift to higher wavelength compared to optical emission spectra from MgPc in solution is consistent with intermolecular coupling of the excited states in the loosely intermolecular bonded phthalocyanine crystal structure. Zero order total PLY spectra at both C and N K edges are compared to TEY spectra where at the C K edge an inversion of intensity ratios between features is observed. Wavelength-specific PLY absorption spectra taken at 860 nm at the N K edge show a role for sigma* states participating in the luminescence process possibly through the sigma-like lone pair of bridging nitrogen atom, denoted the n --> pi* transition.