Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
Published on: February 4, 2017
Reversible valence tautomerism induced by a single-shot laser pulse in a cobalt-iron Prussian blue analog
1Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, KSP Building East 412, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan.
Abstract:
Reversible valence tautomeric conversion induced by a single-shot laser pulse (8 ns duration) with a photon excitation energy of 2.38 eV has been observed in Na0.36Co1.32Fe(CN)(6).5.6H(2)O. A photoswitching process with accompanying magnetization and color changes was successfully achieved within the pulse duration at high temperature (above 200 K) in a thermal hysteresis loop. This unusual photoeffect originates from an optical charge transfer between Fe and Co atoms and evolves due to a cooperative interaction among the local photoexcited sites.
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
Double Resonance Techniques: Overview
Spin decoupling is usually achieved by...
Reversible or Opposing Reactions

