Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

This project focuses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and their nitrogen-containing counterparts (PANH). These molecules often possess photophysical properties, that make them potentially interesting for application in optoelectronic materials. We study the processes that occur in these molecules and their dimers after photoexcitation. The experiments are carried out in the gas phase in order to investigate the intrinsic properties of the molecules and dimers, without perturbation by a solvent. The results are subsequently compared with simulations performed in the group of Roland Mitric. In the dimers we focus on better understanding energy transfer processes and excimer formation in aggregates. Time-resolved spectroscopy in the picosecond (ps) range is used as an experimental method. We have established time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy as a detection method, which we couple with modern imaging detection methods. This allows more detailed insights into the light-induced dynamics.