Andreas-Neil Unterreiner

Three-dimensional multi-photon direct laser writing with variable repetition rate

We perform multi-photon direct laser writing as a function of laser repetition rate over many orders of magnitude and otherwise unchanged experimental conditions. These new data serve as basis for investigating the influence of different proposed mechanisms involved in the photopolymerization: two-photon absorption, photoionization, avalanche ionization and heat accumulation. We find different non-linearities for high and low repetition rates consistent with different initiation processes being involved. The scaling of the resulting linewidths, however, is neither expected nor found to depend on repetition rate or non-linearity.

Pump-probe spectroscopy on photoinitiators for stimulated-emission-depletion optical lithography.

We report on femtosecond pump-probe experiments on two different photoinitiators in solution. These two molecules have recently appeared as attractive candidates for far-field optical lithography based on stimulated-emission-depletion (STED) inspired approaches aiming at beating Abbes diffraction limit. For the case of 7-diethylamino-3-thenoylcoumarin (DETC), we find that stimulated emission clearly dominates over excited-state absorption, whereas the opposite holds true for the case of isopropylthioxanthone. We argue that it is desirable that stimulated emission dominates over excited-state absorption as depletion mechanism in STED photoresists. Thus, DETC is an attractive corresponding photoinitiator.

Near-Infrared Excitation of the Q Band in Free Base and Zinc Tetratolyl-porphyrins

The photophysics of 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl-21H,23H-porphyrin (TTP-H2) and 5,10,15,20-tetra-p-tolyl-porphyrinato zinc II (ZnTTP) have been investigated by means of pump-probe and transient anisotropy experiments. After excitation to the Q band, the molecules were probed by NIR pulses in the range between 950 and 1350 nm in order to study states of gerade symmetry in the vicinity of the Soret band. Examination of transient spectra and anisotropy delivered the first direct observation and the excitation energies of the two lowest so-called dark states. The experimental results were compared with predictions from theoretical calculations.

The rate coefficient of the C3H3 + C3H3 reaction from UV absorption measurements after photolysis of dipropargyl oxalate

The kinetics of the C3H3 + C3H3 reaction was investigated by using dipropargyl oxalate (DPO) as a new, halogen-free photolytic source for propargyl radicals in the gas phase. After laser-flash photolysis of DPO at 193 nm, the initial absorbance was determined at different wavelengths, and the results were compared with values obtained in analogous experiments using propargyl halides as precursors. A satisfactory agreement of the absorbances was found between 295 and 355 nm but differences were observed near 242 nm. The latter wavelength has also been proposed for C3H3 detection. Our results, however, indicate that this absorption is probably due to halogen-containing species. The rate coefficient of the C3H3 + C3H3 reaction was then determined from time-resolved absorption measurements at 332.5 nm with DPO as precursor. Values of (2.7 ± 0.6) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 373 K, (2.8 ± 0.6) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 425 K, (3.5 ± 0.8) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 500 K, and (4.1 ± 0.8) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 520 K were obtained with no significant pressure dependence between 1 and ca. 100 bar (140 bar for T = 373 K).

Photodissociation dynamics of IrBr62− dianions by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy

We have used femtosecond time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to examine the photodissociation dynamics of doubly charged anions IrBr(6)(2-) after excitation at h nu(pump) = 1.6 eV and with a detachment photon energy of h nu(probe) = 4.8 eV. Excited state dynamics proceed by successive decay of the initially excited state, by way of an intermediate and back to the electronic ground state. This is associated with lifetimes of tau(1) = 2.1+/-0.3 ps and tau(2) = 21+/-2 ps, respectively. After nonadiabatic relaxation, the internal energy of the dianion is sufficiently large to induce fragmentation and delayed emission of Br(-) over the repulsive Coulomb barrier with a 79+/-21 ps time constant. As both fragments are negatively charged, Coulomb repulsion at early times (and correspondingly small separations) is reflected in the transient photoelectron spectra. Analysis of both shifts and intensities of the time-dependent bromide detachment features allows determination of the shape of the dissociation barrier. A lower limit of the outer height was retrieved from the kinetic energy release of KER > or = 1.6 eV. Modeling of the dissociation rate with statistical rate theory results in an inner barrier height of E(RCB) = 0.95 eV.

Synthesis and application of photolithographically patternable deep blue emitting poly(3,6-dimethoxy-9,9-dialkylsilafluorene)s.

Poly(silafluorene)s (PSFs) are promising light-emitting materials with brilliant solid-state blue luminescence, high quantum efficiency, excellent solubility, and improved thermal and chemical stability. PSFs are reported to have high electron affinity and conductivity originating from σ*-π* conjugation between the σ*-antibonding orbital of the exocyclic Si-C bond and the π* antibonding orbital of the butadiene fragment, a promising characteristic for improved charge carrier balance in OLEDs. In this paper, we present a protocol for photopatterning derivatives of poly(3,6-dimethoxy-9,9-dialkylsilafluorenes) with resolutions exceeding 10 μm. The procedure begins by converting polymers (Mn = 50-55 kg/mol, PDI = 1.8) with cyclohexenyl and norbornenyl containing side chains to their respective epoxides using the Prilezhaev reaction and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA). Using the I-line (365 nm) of a Karl Suss MA6 mask aligner, a 1 s UV light exposure of the photoacid generator (PAG) bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)iodonium hexafluoro-phosphate (DtBPI-PF6) generates sufficient protons to catalyze epoxide ring-opening and form a bridging network of covalent C-O bonds which renders the material insoluble in developing solvents such as toluene or THF. The resultant cross-linked material possess characteristic blue photoluminescence with solid state quantum yields >80%. Polymer films have excellent transparency (with a measured Eg ≈ 3.0 eV). Energy levels determined using cyclic voltammetry were -5.7 and -2.7 eV for HOMO and LUMO, respectively. Additionally, several device applications are demonstrated which incorporate cross-linked films. These include examples of solid state lasing in the region of 420-450 nm from cross-linked films on second order corrugated silica substrates (Λ = 200 nm). OLEDs were also prepared with a cross-linked emitting layer as part of a trilayer device which we report to have a maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.2% at 33 mA/cm(2) and a stable blue-violet emission with an electroluminescence maximum at 410 nm. Photopatternable PSF epoxides are also shown to be efficient hosts for Förster energy transfer and we provide examples of pattern layers incorporating small molecule emitters which emit in both the red and green while blue emission of the host is effectively suppressed.

Electron tunneling from electronically excited states of isolated bisdisulizole-derived trianion chromophores following UV absorption

Photoelectron spectra of isolated [M-BDSZ](3-) (BDSZ = bisdisulizole, M = H, Li, Na, K, Cs) triply charged anions exhibit a dominant constant electron kinetic energy (KE) detachment feature, independent of detachment wavelengths over a wide UV range. Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy shows that this constant KE feature displays an angular distribution consistent with delayed rather than direct electron emission. Time-resolved pump-probe (388 nm/775 nm) two-colour photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the constant KE feature results from two simultaneously populated excited states, which decay at different rates. The faster of the two rates is essentially the same for all the [M-BDSZ](3-) species, regardless of M. The slower process is associated with lifetimes ranging from several picoseconds to tens of picoseconds. The lighter the alkali cation is, the longer the lifetime of this state. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the two decaying states are in fact the two lowest singlet excited states of the trianions. Each of the two corresponding photoexcitations is associated with significant charge transfer. However, electron density is transferred from different ends of the roughly chain-like molecule to its aromatic center. The energy (and therefore the decay rate) of the longer-lived excited state is found to be influenced by polarization effects due to the proximal alkali cation complexed to that end of the molecule. Systematic M-dependent geometry changes, mainly due to the size of the alkali cation, lead to M-dependent shifts in transition energies. At the constant pump wavelength this leads to different amounts of vibrational energy in the respective excited state, contributing to the variations in decay rates. The current experiments and calculations confirm excited state electron tunneling detachment (ESETD) to be the mechanism responsible for the observed constant KE feature. The ESETD phenomenon may be quite common for isolated multiply charged anions, which are strong fluorophores in the condensed phase - making ESETD useful for studies of the transient response of such species after electronic excitation.

Evidence of ultrafast optical switching behaviour in individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

The ultrafast photophysics of D2O/sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate surfactant dispersions of single-walled carbon nanotubes enriched in individual tubes (versus tube bundles) were studied by femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy in the near-IR (NIR) spectral range. Measurements at 920 nm excitation and variable probe wavelengths showed evidence of superimposed transient bleaching as well as induced absorption behaviour. Our results indicate that such nanotube samples manifest ultrafast pump-induced switching of probe transmission with switching times of less than 1 ps under appropriate conditions. Given their high photochemical and photophysical stability these materials may be suitable candidates for the development of ultrafast NIR optical switches and logic gates.

Ultrafast Dynamics of o-Nitrophenol: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The photolysis of o-nitrophenol (o-NP), a typical push-pull molecule, is of current interest in atmospheric chemistry as a possible source of nitrous acid (HONO). To characterize the largely unknown photolysis mechanism, the dynamics of the lowest lying excited singlet state (S1) of o-NP was investigated by means of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in solution, time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (TRPES) in the gas phase and quantum chemical calculations. Evidence of the unstable aci-nitro isomer is provided both in the liquid and in the gas phase. Our results indicate that the S1 state displays strong charge transfer character, which triggers excited state proton transfer from the OH to the NO2 group as evidenced by a temporal shift of 20 fs of the onset of the photoelectron spectrum. The proton transfer itself is found to be coupled to an out-of-plane rotation of the newly formed HONO group, finally leading to a conical intersection between S1 and the ground state S0. In solution, return to S0 within 0.2-0.3 ps was monitored by stimulated emission. As a competitive relaxation channel, ultrafast intersystem crossing to the upper triplet manifold on a subpicosecond time scale occurs both in solution and in the gas phase. Due to the ultrafast singlet dynamics, we conclude that the much discussed HONO split-off is likely to take place in the triplet manifold.

Transient Anisotropy in Degenerate Systems: a Semi-Classical Approach

Abstract A semi-classical model for transient anisotropy in degenerate excited states is developed on the basis of a more general ansatz presented recently (O. Schalk and A.-N. Unterreiner, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 12, 655 (2010)). This is the first model that can treat both rotational dephasing and the dynamics in degenerate systems, which is a prerequisite for a comprehensive theory to describe gas phase anisotropy experiments in small, highly symmetric systems. In the present contribution, it is shown that this model covers most of the features of the full quantum dynamical treatment and helps to give insights into the physical processes that are underlying these dynamics.