Distinguishing packing configurations of molecular dimers using excited-state absorption peaks in two-dimensional electronic spectra

M Matthew S. Barclay (Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,) P Paul D. Cunningham (Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800) G Gissela Pascual (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) S Simon K. Roy (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) L Lance K. Patten (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) K Kimihiro Susumu V Veronica R. Policht (Electronics Science and Technology Division Code 6800, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 2 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,) D Divita Mathur A Adam Meares (Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 5 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,) J Jeunghoon Lee (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) B Bernard Yurke (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) W William B. Knowlton (Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering) P Paul H. Davis (Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,) R Ryan D. Pensack (Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,) I Igor L. Medintz (Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900) J Joseph S. Melinger (Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800) D Daniel B. Turner (Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,)

Abstract

Packing conformations of molecular aggregates are known to strongly influence the locations and intensities of spectral peaks. Here, we develop the third-order nonlinear spectroscopy signals for a purely electronic model of a molecular dimer, which is a prototype aggregate system. The model—which focuses on excited-state absorption (ESA) pathways in two-dimensional electronic spectra—reveals that orientational averaging leads to diagnostic ESA peak locations for H- and J-dimers. We constructed DNA-templated dimers of cyanine molecules as representative systems and used ultrabroadband two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy measurements to support the predicted signatures arising from the theoretical model. Fitting of steady-state spectra supports the assigned packing conformations. The results elucidate how ESA peaks can be diagnostic spectral signatures of packing conformation. This work lays the foundation for future studies that can include the complicating effects of vibronic states and additional electronic levels.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 162, Issue 17
Published May 07, 2025
ISSN 0021-9606
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

The Journal of Chemical Physics

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0021-9606 Physical Sciences

Authors (17)

M

Matthew S. Barclay

Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,

P

Paul D. Cunningham

Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800

G

Gissela Pascual

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

S

Simon K. Roy

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

L

Lance K. Patten

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

K

Kimihiro Susumu

V

Veronica R. Policht

Electronics Science and Technology Division Code 6800, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 2 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,

D

Divita Mathur

A

Adam Meares

Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering Code 6900, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 5 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,

J

Jeunghoon Lee

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

B

Bernard Yurke

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

W

William B. Knowlton

Micron School of Materials Science & Engineering

P

Paul H. Davis

Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,

R

Ryan D. Pensack

Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,

I

Igor L. Medintz

Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Code 6900

J

Joseph S. Melinger

Electronics Science and Technology Division, Code 6800

D

Daniel B. Turner

Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University 1 , Boise, Idaho 83725,