Ultrafast dynamics in multibranched structures with enhanced two-photon absorption

The understanding of the mechanism of the enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) in multibranched chromophore systems is of importance to the design of materials with the large TPA cross-sections and for future applications. In this communication, the mechanism of enhanced TPA properties is investigated. For a dendritic model system, the excited-state dynamics for both population (T1-process) and phase relaxation (T2-process) processes involved are investigated by a combination of time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The results of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy are compared with previous results obtained from other branched chromophore systems. It is found that the PRL-701 trimer system, which possesses the large enhancement of two-photon absorption cross-section, gives a faster anisotropy decay (fluorescence upconversion and transient absorption), a longer population relaxation time (fluorescence lifetime), and a weaker coupling to the solvent (a larger photon echo peak shift initial value). New strategies for rational design of large TPA materials can be achieved based on a better understanding of the mechanism of the enhancement. Copyright © 2005 American Chemical Society.