Excited state absorption of 1,3,3,1′,3′,3′-hexamethylindotricarbocyanine Iodide: A quantitative study by ultrafast absorption spectroscopy

A quantitative investigation of HITC dissolved in methanol has been made using the method of ultrafast absorption spectroscopy with a streak camera. Samples were excited by picosecond pulses of a mode-locked ruby laser. Analysis of time-resolved spectra yielded non-exponential decay kinetics consisting of a fast (τ variable) and a slow (τ=1.13±0.08 ns) component. The excited state absorption spectrum has its maximum at 493 nm and shoulders at 415 and 540 nm. The excited state absorption cross section was determined by simulataneous measurement of the bleaching of ground state absorption taking polarization of excitation and probe light and excited state absorption at the laser wavelength into account. A value of σ₁ (493 nm)=1.0·10^?16 cm² was found.