Two-dimensional ultrafast transient absorption spectrograph covering deep-ultraviolet to visible spectral region optimized for biomolecules

Abstract

We report on the implementation of a multi-kHz single-shot referenced non-coherent two-dimensional UV spectrograph based on conventional pump-probe geometry. It has the capability to cover a broad spectral region in excitation from 270-to-380 nm and in the detection from 270-to-390 nm and 320-to-720 nm. Other setups features are: an unprecedented time resolution of 33 fs (standard deviation); signals are photometrically corrected; a single-shot noise of <1 mOD. It has the capability to operate with sample volumes as small as few μl which is an accomplishment in studying biological or biomimetic systems. To show its performances and potentials, we report two preliminary studies on the photophysics of phenanthrenes hosted in a multichromophoric antenna system and of aromatic amino acids in a blue-copper azurin.