Single-molecule pump-probe experiments reveal variations in ultrafast energy redistribution

Single-molecule pump probe (SM2P) is a novel, fluorescence-based technique that allows the study of ultrafast processes on the single-molecule level. Exploiting SM2P we have observed large variations (from 1 ps to below 100 fs) in the energy redistribution times of chemically identical molecules in the same sample. Embedding the molecules in a different matrix or changing the excitation wavelength does not lead to significant changes in the average redistribution time. However, chemically different molecules exhibit different characteristic redistribution times. We therefore conclude that the process measured with the SM2P technique is dominated by intramolecular energy redistribution and not intermolecular transfer to the surrounding matrix. The matrix though is responsible for inducing conformational changes in the molecule, which affect the coupling between electronic and vibrational modes. These conformational changes are the main origin of the observed broad distribution of redistribution times.