Fifth-order three-dimensional electronic spectroscopy using a pump-probe configuration.

We present the theoretical details and experimental demonstration of fifth-order three-dimensional (3D) electronic spectroscopy using a pump-probe beam geometry. This is achieved using a pulse shaper and appropriate phase cycling schemes. We show how 8-step and 27-step phase cycling schemes can measure purely absorptive 3D spectra as well as 3D spectra for the individual fifth-order processes that contribute to the purely absorptive spectrum. 3D spectra as a function of two separate controllable waiting time periods can be obtained. The peak shapes and positions of the peaks in the experimental measurement correspond well to theory.

Transient lens spectroscopy of ultrafast internal conversion processes in citranaxanthin.

The ultrafast internal conversion (IC) dynamics of the apocarotenoid citranaxanthin have been studied for the first time by means of two-color transient lens (TL) pump-probe spectroscopy. After excitation into the high-energy edge of the S2 band by a pump pulse at 400 nm, the subsequent intramolecular processes were probed at 800 nm. Experiments were performed in a variety of solvents at room temperature. Upper limits for the S2 lifetime tau2 on the order of 100-200 fs are estimated. The S1 lifetime tau1 varies only slightly between solvents (10-12 ps), and the only clear decrease is observed for methanol (8.5 ps). The findings are consistent with earlier results from transient absorption studies of other apocarotenoids and carotenoid ketones and transient lens experiments of C40 carbonyl carotenoids. Possible reasons for the observed weak solvent dependence of tau1 for citranaxanthin are discussed.

Ultrafast transient lens spectroscopy of various C40 carotenoids: lycopene, beta-carotene, (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin, (3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein, echinenone, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin.

The ultrafast internal conversion (IC) dynamics of seven C(40) carotenoids have been investigated at room temperature in a variety of solvents using two-color transient lens (TL) pump-probe spectroscopy. We provide comprehensive data sets for the carbonyl carotenoids canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, and-for the first time-echinenone, as well as new data for lycopene, beta-carotene, (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin and (3R,3'R,6'R)-lutein in solvents which have not yet been investigated in the literature. Measurements were carried out to determine, how the IC processes are influenced by the conjugation length of the carotenoids, additional substituents and the polarity of the solvent. TL signals were recorded at 800 nm following excitation into the high energy edge of the carotenoid S2 band at 400 nm. For the S2 lifetime solvent-independent upper limits on the order of 100-200 fs are estimated for all carotenoids studied. The S1 lifetimes are in the picosecond range and increase systematically with decreasing conjugation length. For instance, in the sequence canthaxanthin/echinenone/beta-carotene (13/12/11 double bonds) one finds tau1 approximately 5, 7.7 and 9 ps for the S1-->S0 IC process, respectively. Hydroxyl groups not attached to the conjugated system have no apparent influence on tau1, as observed for canthaxanthin/astaxanthin (tau1 approximately 5 ps in both cases). For all carotenoids studied, tau1 is found to be insensitive to the solvent polarity. This is particularly interesting in the case of echinenone, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin, because earlier measurements for other carbonyl carotenoids like, e.g., peridinin partly showed dramatic differences. The likely presence of an intramolecular charge transfer state in the excited state manifold of C40 carbonyl carotenoids, which is stabilized in polar solvents, has obviously no influence on the measured tau1.

Atomic-scale dynamical structures of fatty acid bilayers observed by ultrafast electron crystallography.

The structure and dynamics of a biological model bilayer are reported with atomic-scale resolution by using ultrafast electron crystallography. The bilayer was deposited as a Langmuir-Blodgett structure of arachidic (eicosanoic) fatty acids with the two chains containing 40 carbon atoms (approximately = 50 angstroms), on a hydrophobic substrate, the hydrogen terminated silicon(111) surface. We determined the structure of the 2D assembly, establishing the orientation of the chains and the subunit cell of the CH2 distances: a0 = 4.7 angstroms, b0 = 8.0 angstroms, and c0 = 2.54 angstroms. For structural dynamics, the diffraction frames were taken every 1 picosecond after a femtosecond temperature jump. The observed motions, with sub-angstroms resolution and monolayer sensitivity, clearly indicate the coherent anisotropic expansion of the bilayer solely along the aliphatic chains, followed by nonequilibrium contraction and restructuring at longer times. This motion is indicative of a nonlinear behavior among the anharmonically coupled bonds on the ultrashort time scale and energy redistribution and diffusion on the longer time scale. The ability to observe such atomic motions of complex structures and at interfaces is a significant leap forward for the determination of macromolecular dynamical structures by using ultrafast electron crystallography.