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ABSTRACT: We report the photochemistry of two ring-open isomers, namely TTC and TTT, of a bidirectional photoswitchable spiropyran, 6,8-dinitro-1',3',3'-trimethylspiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indoline] (6,8-dinitro BIPS). Both isomers are capable of ring closure after excitation with visible fs laser pulses, as disclosed by pump-wavelength-dependent transient absorption experiments in the visible spectral range. The main isomer TTC has its maximum absorption at 560 nm, whereas the minor isomer TTT is red-shifted (600 nm). The excited-state lifetimes differ strongly (τ ≈ 900 ps for TTT and τ ≈ 95 ps for TTC), nevertheless the quantum efficiencies for ring closure (40% for TTC and 35% for TTT) and isomerization (1-2% for TTC and 1-2% for TTT) are comparable. With regard to the bidirectional photoswitching capabilities, 6,8-dinitro BIPS is the first molecular switch based on a 6π-electrocyclic reaction where both ring-open isomers are capable of ring closure.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry A 01/2011; 115(16):3924-35. · 2.95 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We introduce fully noncollinear coherent two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy in the UV domain with an all-reflective and miniaturized setup design. Phase stability is achieved via pairwise beam manipulation, and the concept can be transferred to all wavelength regimes. Here we present results from an implementation that has been optimized for wavelengths between 250 and 375 nm. Interferometric measurements prove phase stability over several hours. We obtained 2D spectra of the nonpolar UV chromophore p-terphenyl in ethanol, excited with 50 fs pulses at 287 nm.
Optics Letters 12/2010; 35(24):4178-80. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report on bidirectional photochemical switching of 6,8-dinitro-1',3',3'-trimethylspiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indoline] (6,8-dinitro-BIPS) between the ring-closed spiropyran and the ring-open merocyanine form. This is studied by femtosecond three-color pump-repump-probe experiments. Both ring opening and ring closure are photoinduced. Completion of an entire cycle, consisting of opening and subsequent closure, can be achieved within 40 ps. A much shorter time (<6 ps) is needed for the converse cycle, consisting of initial ring closure and subsequent ring opening. Furthermore, we perform pump-probe experiments with ultraviolet/visible pump and visible/mid-infrared probe pulses for an unambiguous spectroscopic identification of the open and closed molecular forms. Following visible excitation of the ring-open molecules, ultrafast ring closure is observed directly in the mid-infrared. The quantum efficiencies for ring opening and ring closure starting from the respective equilibirum states are determined to be approximately 9% and 40%. These results show that 6,8-dinitro-BIPS is an ultrafast bidirectional molecular switch exhibiting a high quantum efficiency.
Journal of the American Chemical Society 11/2010; 132(46):16510-9. · 9.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We present an experimental concept for the generation and characterization of polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses in the ultraviolet. Polarization-shaped laser pulses are frequency-doubled in an interferometrically stable setup comprising two perpendicularly oriented nonlinear crystals. Dual-channel spectral interferometry is employed to fully characterize the electric field of the polarization-shaped ultraviolet pulses. The method is experimentally demonstrated for a central wavelength of 400 nm. Advantages and prospective applications, as well as limitations and possible alternatives, are discussed.
Journal of Optics A Pure and Applied Optics 08/2009; 11(8):085202. · 1.92 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The irreversible photoconversion of T203V green fluorescent protein (GFP) via decarboxylation is studied under femtosecond excitation using an accumulative product detection method that allows us to measure small conversion efficiencies of down to DeltaOD = 10(-7) absorbance change per pulse. Power studies with 800- and 400-nm pulse excitation reveal that excitation to higher states of the neutral form of the GFP chromophore induces photoconversion very efficiently. The singly excited neutral chromophore is a resonant intermediate of the two-step excitation process that leads to efficient photoconversion. We determine the dynamics of this two-step process by separating the excitation step of the neutral chromophore from the further excitation step to the reactive state in a time-resolved two-color experiment. The dynamics show that a further excitation to the very reactive higher excited state is only possible from the initially excited neutral chromophore and not from the fluorescent intermediate state. For applications of GFP in two-photon fluorescence microscopy, the found photochemical behavior implies that the high intensity conditions used in microscopy can lead to photoconversion easily and care has to be taken to avoid unwanted photoconversion.
Biophysical Journal 05/2009; 96(7):2763-70. · 3.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We introduce an inherently phase-stable setup for coherent two-dimensional femtosecond spectroscopy in noncollinear box geometry using only conventional beam splitters, mirrors, and delay stages. Avoiding diffractive optics, pulse shapers, and active phase-locking loops, our spectroscopy setup is simple, robust, and works for ultrabroad bandwidths in all spectral regimes (infrared, visible, and ultraviolet).
Optics Letters 01/2009; 33(23):2851-3. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We experimentally demonstrate the generation and characterization of polarization-shaped femtosecond laser pulses in the ultraviolet at a central wavelength of 400 nm. Near-infrared laser pulses are first polarization shaped and then frequency doubled in an interferometrically stable setup that employs two perpendicularly oriented nonlinear crystals. A new pulse shaper design involving volume phase holographic gratings reduces losses and hence leads to an increase in pulse energy.
Optics Letters 05/2008; 33(8):803-5. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A shaped UV pump–MIR probe setup is employed for quantum control of the photoinduced Wolff rearrangement reaction of diazonaphthoquinone (DNQ) dissolved in methanol, yielding a ketene photoproduct. Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy is a well-suited tool to monitor a photoreaction in the liquid phase as the narrow vibrational lines allow the observation of structural changes. Especially in the mid-infrared region, marker modes originating from different photoproducts can be identified unambiguously providing suitable feedback signals for open-loop or closed-loop control schemes. We report an experiment where the initiation of a complicated structural change of a molecule, involving bond cleavage and rearrangement, in the liquid phase can be controlled and mechanistic insight is obtained. Single-parameter scans show that the molecule is sensitive to intrapulse dumping during the excitation. Adaptive optimizations lead to pulse structures which can be understood consistently with this dumping mechanism.
Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics 03/2008; 41(7):074025. · 1.88 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We present a novel experimental method for studying photochemical reactions that involve permanent products. The accumulation of photoproducts facilitates the measurement of extremely small product yields. A calibration of the setup accounts for diffusion effects, and the experimental results can be expressed in terms of single-pulse photochemical efficiencies. A demonstration experiment on indocyanine green (ICG) is presented. The general method is suited both for femtosecond spectroscopy and quantum control experiments.
Optics Letters 12/2007; 32(22):3346-8. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper discusses transformations between bases used in closed-loop learning control experiments. The goal is to transform to a basis in which the number of control parameters is minimized and in which the parameters act independently. We demonstrate a simple procedure for testing whether a unitary linear transformation (i.e., a rotation amongst the control variables) is sufficient to reduce the search problem to a set of globally independent variables. This concept is demonstrated with closed-loop molecular fragmentation experiments utilizing shaped, ultrafast laser pulses.
The Journal of Chemical Physics 04/2005; 122(12):124306. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This paper discusses different routes to gaining insight from closed loop learning control experiments. We focus on the role of the basis in which pulse shapes are encoded and the algorithmic search is performed. We demonstrate that a physically motivated, nonlinear basis change can reduce the dimensionality of the phase space to one or two degrees of freedom. The dependence of the control goal on the most important degrees of freedom can then be mapped out in detail, leading toward a better understanding of the control mechanism. We discuss simulations and experiments in selective molecular fragmentation using shaped ultrafast laser pulses.
The Journal of Chemical Physics 02/2005; 122(1):14102. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We interpret the results of a molecular fragmentation learning control
experiment. We show that in the case of a system where control can be
related to the structure of the optimal pulse matching the vibrational
dynamics of the molecule, a simple change of pulse-shape basis in which
the learning algorithm performs the search can reduce the dimensionality
of the search space to one or two degrees of freedom.
Physical Review A 10/2004; 70(5):53406. · 2.88 Impact Factor
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Florian Langhojer
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ABSTRACT: Contents List of Publications 1 Introduction 2 Basic concepts and instrumentation 2.1 Mathematical description of femtosecond laser pulses 2.2 Optical quantities and measurements 2.2.1 Intensity 2.2.2 Absorbance and Beer-Lambert law 2.3 Laser system 2.4 General software framework for scientific data acquisition and simulation 2.4.1 Core components 2.4.2 Program for executing a single measurement sequence 2.4.3 Scan program 2.4.4 Evolutionary algorithm optimization program 2.4.5 Applications of the software framework 2.5 Summary 3 Generation of ultrabroadband femtosecond pulses in the visible 3.1 Nonlinear optics 3.1.1 Nonlinear polarization and frequency conversion 3.1.2 Phase matching 3.2 Optical parametric amplification 3.3 Noncollinear optical parametric amplifier 3.4 Considerations and experimental design of NOPA 3.4.1 Options for broadening the NOPA bandwidth 3.4.2 Experimental setup 3.5 NOPA pulse characterization 3.5.1 Second harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating 3.5.2 Transient grating frequency-resolved optical gating 3.6 Compression and shaping methods for NOPA pulses 3.6.1 Grating compressor 3.6.2 Prism compressor 3.6.3 Chirped mirrors 3.6.4 Detuned zero dispersion compressor 3.6.5 Deformable mirror pulse shaper 3.6.6 Liquid crystal pulse shaper 3.7 Liquid crystal pulse shaper 3.7.1 Femtosecond pulse shapers 3.7.2 Experimental design and parameters 3.7.3 Optical setup of the LC pulse shaper 3.7.4 Calibrations of the pulse shaper 3.8 Adaptive pulse compression 3.8.1 Closed loop pulse compression 3.8.2 Open loop pulse compression 3.9 Conclusions 4 Coherent optical two-dimensional spectroscopy 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Theory of third order nonlinear optical spectroscopies 4.2.1 Response function, electric fields, and signal field 4.2.2 Signal detection with spectral interferometry 4.2.3 Evaluation of two-dimensional spectra and phasing 4.2.4 Selection and classification of terms in induced nonlinear polarization 4.2.5 Oscillatory character of measured signal 4.3 Previous experimental implementations 4.4 Inherently phase-stable setup using conventional optics only 4.4.1 Manipulation of pulse pairs as a basis for stability 4.4.2 Experimental setup 4.4.3 Measurement procedure 4.4.4 Data evaluation 4.5 First experimental results 4.5.1 Demonstration of phase stability 4.5.2 2D spectrum of Nile Blue at room temperature 4.6 Summary and outlook 5 Product accumulation for ultrasensitive femtochemistry 5.1 The problem of sensitivity in femtochemistry 5.2 Accumulation for increased sensitivity 5.2.1 Comparison of conventional and accumulative sensitivity 5.2.2 Schematics and illustrative example 5.3 Experimental setup 5.4 Calibration and modeling of accumulation 5.5 Experiments on indocyanine green 5.5.1 Calibration of the setup 5.5.2 Chirped pulse excitation 5.5.3 Adaptive pulse shaping 5.6 Conclusions 6 Ultrafast photoconversion of the green fluorescent protein 6.1 Green fluorescent protein 6.2 Experimental setup for photoconversion of GFP 6.3 Calibration of the setup for GFP 6.3.1 Model for concentration dynamics of involved GFP species 6.3.2 Estimate of sensitivity 6.4 Excitation power study 6.5 Time-resolved two-color experiment 6.6 Time-delayed unshaped 400 nm shaped 800 nm pulse excitation 6.6.1 Inducing photoconversion with chirped pulses 6.6.2 Photoconversion using third order phase pulses 6.7 Conclusions 7 Applications of the accumulative method to chiral systems 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Chiral asymmetric photochemistry 7.2.1 Continuous-wave circularly polarized light 7.2.2 Controlled asymmetric photochemistry using femtosecond laser pulses 7.3 Sensitive and fast polarimeter 7.3.1 Polarimeter setup 7.3.2 Detected signal I(t) 7.3.3 Angular amplification 7.3.4 Performance of the polarimeter 7.4 Molecular systems and mechanisms for enantioselective quantum control 7.4.1 Binaphthalene derivatives 7.4.2 Photochemical helicene formation 7.4.3 Spiropyran/merocyanine chiroptical molecular switches 7.5 Summary 8 Summary Zusammenfassung Bibliography Acknowledgements Inhalt Liste der Veröffentlichungen 1 Einleitung 2 Grundlegende Konzepte und Instrumente 2.1 Mathematische Beschreibung von Femtosekundenlaserpulsen 2.2 Optische Größen und Messungen 2.2.1 Intensität 2.2.2 Absorbanz und Lambert- Beer Gesetz 2.3 Lasersystem 2.4 Allgemeines Softwareframework zur wissenschaftlichen Datenaufnahme und Simulation 2.4.1 Kernkomponenten 2.4.2 Programm zur Aufnahme einer einzelnen Messsequenz 2.4.3 Scanprogramm 2.4.4 Evolutionärer Algorithmus 2.4.5 Anwendungen des Softwareframeworks 2.5 Zusammenfassung 3 Erzeugung ultrabreitbandiger Femtosekundenlaserpulse im sichtbaren Spektralbereich 3.1 Nichtlineare Optik 3.1.1 Nichtlineare Polarisation und Frequenzkonversion 3.1.2 Phasenanpassung 3.2 Optisch-parametrische Verstärkung 3.3 Nichtkollinearer optisch-parametrischer Verstärker 3.4 Erwägungen und experimenteller Entwurf 3.4.1 Optionen zur Verbreiterung der Bandbreite des NOPA 3.4.2 Experimenteller Aufbau 3.5 NOPA Pulscharacterisierung 3.5.1 Second harmonic generation frequency-resolved optical gating 3.5.2 Transient grating frequency-resolved optical gating 3.6 Kompressions- und Formungsmethoden für NOPA Pulse 3.6.1 Gitterkompressor 3.6.2 Prismenkompressor 3.6.3 Chirped mirrors 3.6.4 Verstimmter Nulldispersionskompressor 3.6.5 Pulsformer auf Basis eines verformbaren Spiegels 3.6.6 Flüssigkristallpulsformer 3.7 Flüssigkristallpulsformer 3.7.1 Femtosekundenpulsformer 3.7.2 Experimenteller Entwurf und experimentelle Parameter 3.7.3 Optischer Aufbau des Flüssigkristallformers 3.7.4 Kalibrationen des Formers 3.8 Adaptive Pulskompression 3.8.1 Pulskompression in einer geschlossenen Schleife 3.8.2 Pulskompression in einer offenen Schleife 3.9 Zusammenfassung 4 Kohärente optische, zweidimensionale Spektroskopie 4.1 Einleitung 4.2 Theorie der Spektroskopien dritter Ordnung 4.2.1 Antwortfunktion, elektrische Felder und Signalfeld 4.2.2 Signalmessung mittels spektraler Interferometrie 4.2.3 Auswertung der zweidimensionalen Spektren und Phasieren 4.2.4 Auswahl und Klassifikation von Termen der induzierten nichtlinearen Polarisation 4.2.5 Oszillatorisches Verhalten des Messignals 4.3 Bisherige experimentelle Realisierungen 4.4 Inhärent phasenstabiler Aufbau auf Basis von nur konventionellen Optiken 4.4.1 Manipulation von Pulspaaren als Grundlage der Stabilität 4.4.2 Experimenteller Aufbau 4.4.3 Messprozedur 4.4.4 Datenauswertung 4.5 Erste experimentelle Ergebnisse 4.5.1 Demonstration der Phasenstabilität 4.5.2 2D Spektrum von Nilblau bei Raumtemperatur 4.6 Zusammenfassung und Ausblick 5 Akkumulation von Photoprodukten zur ultrasensitiven Messung von Femtochemie 5.1 Das Problem der Sensitivität in der Femtochemie 5.2 Akkumulation zur Erhöhung der Sensitivität 5.2.1 Vergleich Sensitivität der konventionellen und akkumulativen Methoden 5.2.2 Schema und illustratives Beispiel 5.3 Experimenteller Aufbau 5.4 Kalibration und Modellierung der Akkumulation 5.5 Experimente am Farbstoff Indocyanin Grün 5.5.1 Kalibration des Aufbaus 5.5.2 Anregung mit gechirpten Pulsen 5.5.3 Adaptive Pulsformung 5.6 Zusammenfassung 6 Ultraschnelle Photokonversion des grün fluoreszierenden Proteins 6.1 Grün fluoreszierendes Protein 6.2 Experimenter Aufbau zur Photokonversion von GFP 6.3 Kalibration des Aufbaus für GFP 6.3.1 Modell der Konzentrationsdynamiken der beteiligten GFP Spezies 6.3.2 Abschätzung der Sensitivität 6.4 Variation der Anregungsleistung 6.5 Zeitaufgelöstes Zweifarbexperiment 6.6 Anregung mit zeitverzögerten ungeformte 400 nm und geformten 800 nm Laserpulsen 6.6.1 Induktion der Photokonversion mit gechirpten Pulsen 6.6.2 Photokonversion mit Pulsen mit dritter Ordnung Phase 6.7 Zusammenfassung 7 Anwendungen der akkumulativen Methode auf chirale Systeme 7.1 Einleitung 7.2 Chirale asymmetrische Photochemie 7.2.1 Zirkular polarisiertes Dauerstrichlicht 7.2.2 Kontrollierte asymmetrische Photochemie mit Femtosekundenlaserpulsen 7.3 Sensitives und schnelles Polarimeter 7.3.1 Polarimeteraufbau 7.3.2 Messsignal I(t) 7.3.3 Winkelverstärkung 7.3.4 Leistung des Polarimeters 7.4 Molekulare Systeme und Mechanismen für enantioselektive Quantenkontrolle 7.4.1 Binaphthalinderivate 7.4.2 Photochemische Helicenbildung 7.4.3 Spiropyran/Merocyanin als chiral-optischer Schalter 7.5 Zusammenfassung 8 Zusammenfassung (englisch) Zusammenfassung (deutsch) Literaturverzeichnis Danksagungen
