Ultrafast intramolecular relaxation dynamics of Mg- and Zn-bacteriochlorophyll a

Ultrafast excited-state dynamics of the photosynthetic pigment (Mg-)bacteriochlorophyll a and its Zn-substituted form were investigated by steady-state absorption∕fluorescence and femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopic measurements. The obtained steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra of bacteriochlorophyll a in solution showed that the central metal compound significantly affects the energy of the Qx state, but has almost no effect on the Qy state. Photo-induced absorption spectra were recorded upon excitation of Mg- and Zn-bacteriochlorophyll a into either their Qx or Qy state. By comparing the kinetic traces of transient absorption, ground-state beaching, and stimulated emission after excitation to the Qx or Qy state, we showed that the Qx state was substantially incorporated in the ultrafast excited-state dynamics of bacteriochlorophyll a. Based on these observations, the lifetime of the Qx state was determined to be 50 and 70 fs for Mg- and Zn-bacteriochlorophyll a, respectively, indicating that the lifetime was influenced by the central metal atom due to the change of the energy gap between the Qx and Qy states.