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Maier J, Weller T, Thelakkat M, Köhler J. Long-term switching of single photochromic triads based on dithienylcyclopentene and fluorophores at cryogenic temperatures. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:014901. [PMID: 34241405 DOI: 10.1063/5.0056815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Photochromic molecules can be reversibly converted between two bistable forms by light. These systems have been intensively studied for applications as molecular memories, sensing devices, or super-resolution optical microscopy. Here, we study the long-term switching behavior of single photochromic triads under oxygen-free conditions at 10 K. The triads consist of a photochromic unit that is covalently linked to two strong fluorophores that were employed for monitoring the light-induced conversions of the switch via changes in the fluorescence intensity from the fluorophores. As dyes we use either perylene bisimide or boron-dipyrromethen, and as photochromic switch we use dithienylcyclopentene (DCP). Both types of triads showed high fatigue resistance allowing for up to 6000 switching cycles of a single triad corresponding to time durations in the order of 80 min without deterioration. Long-term analysis of the switching cycles reveals that the probability that an intensity change in the emission from the dyes can be assigned to an externally stimulated conversion of the DCP (rather than to stochastic blinking of the dye molecules) amounts to 0.7 ± 0.1 for both types of triads. This number is far too low for optical data storage using single triads and implications concerning the miniaturization of optical memories based on such systems will be discussed. Yet, together with the high fatigue resistance, this number is encouraging for applications in super-resolution optical microscopy on frozen biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Maier
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Tina Weller
- Applied Functional Materials, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mukundan Thelakkat
- Applied Functional Materials, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jürgen Köhler
- Spectroscopy of Soft Matter, University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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Optical spin-state polarization in a binuclear europium complex towards molecule-based coherent light-spin interfaces. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2152. [PMID: 33846323 PMCID: PMC8042120 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22383-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of the emerging field of solid-state optical quantum information processing (QIP) critically depends on the access to resonant optical materials. Rare-earth ion (REI)-based molecular systems, whose quantum properties could be tuned taking advantage of molecular engineering strategies, are one of the systems actively pursued for the implementation of QIP schemes. Herein, we demonstrate the efficient polarization of ground-state nuclear spins-a fundamental requirement for all-optical spin initialization and addressing-in a binuclear Eu(III) complex, featuring inhomogeneously broadened 5D0 → 7F0 optical transition. At 1.4 K, long-lived spectral holes have been burnt in the transition: homogeneous linewidth (Γh) = 22 ± 1 MHz, which translates as optical coherence lifetime (T2opt) = 14.5 ± 0.7 ns, and ground-state spin population lifetime (T1spin) = 1.6 ± 0.4 s have been obtained. The results presented in this study could be a progressive step towards the realization of molecule-based coherent light-spin QIP interfaces.
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Neumann A, Lindlau J, Thoms S, Basché T, Högele A. Accidental Contamination of Substrates and Polymer Films by Organic Quantum Emitters. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:3207-3213. [PMID: 30985126 PMCID: PMC6542549 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
We report the observation of ubiquitous contamination of dielectric substrates and poly(methyl methacrylate) matrices by organic molecules with optical transitions in the visible spectral range. Contamination sites of individual solvent-related fluorophores in thin films of poly(methyl methacrylate) constitute fluorescence hotspots with quantum emission statistics and quantum yields approaching 30% at cryogenic temperatures. Our findings not only resolve prevalent puzzles in the assignment of spectral features to various nanoemitters on bare dielectric substrates or in polymer matrices but also identify the means for the simple and cost-efficient realization of single-photon sources in the visible spectral range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Neumann
- Fakultät
für Physik, Munich Quantum Center, and Center for NanoScience
(CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany
| | - Jessica Lindlau
- Fakultät
für Physik, Munich Quantum Center, and Center for NanoScience
(CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany
| | - Stefan Thoms
- Institut
für Physikalische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität
Mainz, Duesbergweg 10−14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Basché
- Institut
für Physikalische Chemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität
Mainz, Duesbergweg 10−14, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Alexander Högele
- Fakultät
für Physik, Munich Quantum Center, and Center for NanoScience
(CeNS), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 1, 80539 München, Germany
- Munich
Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST), Schellingstrasse 4, 80799 München, Germany
- E-mail:
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Naumov AV, Gorshelev AA, Gladush MG, Anikushina TA, Golovanova AV, Köhler J, Kador L. Micro-Refractometry and Local-Field Mapping with Single Molecules. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:6129-6134. [PMID: 30188725 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b01753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The refractive index n is one of the most important materials parameters of solids and, in recent years, has become the subject of significant interdisciplinary interest, especially in nanostructures and meta-materials. It is, in principle, a macroscopic quantity, so its meaning on a length scale of a few nanometers, i.e., well below the wavelength of light, is not clear a priori and is related to methods of its measurement on this length scale. Here we introduce a novel experimental approach for mapping the effective local value [Formula: see text] of the refractive index in solid films and the analysis of related local-field enhancement effects. The approach is based on the imaging and spectroscopy of single chromophore molecules at cryogenic temperatures. Since the fluorescence lifetime T1 of dye molecules in a transparent matrix depends on the refractive index due to the local density of the electromagnetic field (i.e., of the photon states), one can obtain the local [Formula: see text] values in the surroundings of individual chromophores simply by measuring their T1 times. Spatial mapping of the local [Formula: see text] values is accomplished by localizing the corresponding chromophores with nanometer accuracy. We demonstrate this approach for a polycrystalline n-hexadecane film doped with terrylene. Unexpectedly large fluctuations of local-field effects and effective [Formula: see text] values (the latter between 1.1 and 1.9) were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Naumov
- Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 108840 , Russia
- Moscow State Pedagogical University , Moscow , 119435 , Russia
| | - A A Gorshelev
- Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 108840 , Russia
| | - M G Gladush
- Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 108840 , Russia
- Moscow State Pedagogical University , Moscow , 119435 , Russia
| | - T A Anikushina
- Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 108840 , Russia
- Moscow State Pedagogical University , Moscow , 119435 , Russia
| | - A V Golovanova
- Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow 108840 , Russia
- Moscow State Pedagogical University , Moscow , 119435 , Russia
| | - J Köhler
- University of Bayreuth, Institute of Physics , D-95440 Bayreuth , Germany
- University of Bayreuth, Spectroscopy of Soft Matter , D-95440 Bayreuth , Germany
- Bavarian Polymer Institute , D-95440 Bayreuth , Germany
| | - L Kador
- University of Bayreuth, Institute of Physics , D-95440 Bayreuth , Germany
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Pieper J, Artene P, Rätsep M, Pajusalu M, Freiberg A. Evaluation of Electron–Phonon Coupling and Spectral Densities of Pigment–Protein Complexes by Line-Narrowed Optical Spectroscopy. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:9289-9301. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b05220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Białkowska M, Deperasińska I, Makarewicz A, Kozankiewicz B. Anomalous doping of a molecular crystal monitored with confocal fluorescence microscopy: Terrylene in a p-terphenyl crystal. J Chem Phys 2017; 147:114302. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4989983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Golovanova A. Data processing approaches in adopting single point–like emitter spectromicroscopy for mapping material characteristics of solid media. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201716103003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Naumov A. Spectroscopy of single organic dye-molecules and semiconductor quantum dots: basic aspects and applications in nanoscopy. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201713201009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Golovanova A, Anikushina T, Gorshelev A, Korotaev O, Naumov A. New methods of statistical processing of single-molecule spectromicroscopy data for mapping of local fields and effective indices of refraction in the layer of a host matrix. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2017. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201713203008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Verhart NR, Müller M, Orrit M. Spectroscopy of Single Dibenzoterrylene Molecules in para-Dichlorobenzene. Chemphyschem 2016; 17:1524-9. [PMID: 26840901 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201501087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We study single dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules embedded in 1,4-dichlorobenzene (para-dichlorobenzene, pDCB) at 1.2 K. Due to the relatively low melting point of pDCB (53 °C), this host-guest system can be easily prepared from the molten phase. Narrow linewidths, stable molecular lines and high saturation count rates of single DBT molecules were observed. For this reason, we consider this host-guest system a promising candidate for the study of interactions of single molecules with other small objects such as waveguides or nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico R Verhart
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium, Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Mathias Müller
- Isabellenhütte Heusler GmbH & Co KG., Dillenburg, Germany
| | - Michel Orrit
- Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
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Anikushina T, Gladush M, Gorshelev A, Naumov A. Local-Field Effects in the Zero-Phonon Spectral Lines of Single Impurity Molecules in Solid Matrices at Low Temperatures. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2015. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201510305001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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12
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Orlov SV, Naumov AV, Vainer YG, Kador L. Spectrally resolved analysis of fluorescence blinking of single dye molecules in polymers at low temperatures. J Chem Phys 2012. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4766321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Tian Y, Navarro P, Kozankiewicz B, Orrit M. Spectral Diffusion of Single Dibenzoterrylene Molecules in 2,3-Dimethylanthracene. Chemphyschem 2012; 13:3510-5. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201200463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Pärs M, Hofmann CC, Willinger K, Bauer P, Thelakkat M, Köhler J. An Organic Optical Transistor Operated under Ambient Conditions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201104193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Pärs M, Hofmann CC, Willinger K, Bauer P, Thelakkat M, Köhler J. An organic optical transistor operated under ambient conditions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2011; 50:11405-8. [PMID: 22113798 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201104193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martti Pärs
- Experimental Physics IV, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Eremchev IY, Vainer YG, Naumov AV, Kador L. Low-temperature dynamics in amorphous polymers and low-molecular-weight glasses--what is the difference? Phys Chem Chem Phys 2010; 13:1843-8. [PMID: 21183979 DOI: 10.1039/c0cp01690j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Numerous experiments have shown that the low-temperature dynamics of a wide variety of disordered solids is qualitatively universal. However, most of these results were obtained with ensemble-averaging techniques which hide the local parameters of the dynamic processes. We used single-molecule (SM) spectroscopy for direct observation of the dynamic processes in disordered solids with different internal structure and chemical composition. The surprising result is that the dynamics of low-molecular-weight glasses and short-chain polymers does not follow, on a microscopic level, the current concept of low-temperature glass dynamics. An extra contribution to the dynamics was detected causing irreproducible jumps and drifts of the SM spectra on timescales between milliseconds and minutes. In most matrices consisting of small molecules and oligomers, the spectral dynamics was so fast that SM spectra could hardly or not at all be recorded and only irregular fluorescence flares were observed. These results provide new mechanistic insight into the behavior of glasses in general: At low temperatures, the local dynamics of disordered solids is not universal but depends on the structure and chemical composition of the material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Yu Eremchev
- Molecular Spectroscopy Department, Institute for Spectroscopy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Troitsk, Moscow reg., 142190, Russia
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