Time-resolved spectroscopy of organic dendrimers and branched chromophores

Organic dendrimers have been considered for a number of optical applications and are now of great interest for the purpose of enhanced nonlinear optical effects. In order to understand the mechanism of the enhanced effects in branched structures it is important to probe the fundamental excitations and the degree of intramolecular interactions utilizing various spectroscopic techniques. In this review, the nonlinear optical and excited state dynamics of different dendritic and other branching chromophore structures are discussed. The methods of two-photon absorption, time-resolved fluorescence, transient absorption, and three-pulse photon echo peak shift are discussed in regards to the degree of intramolecular coupling in the macromolecular systems. These techniques are also used for a comparison of the dynamics in the linear molecular analog systems as well. Thus, this review focuses on the aspect of intramolecular interactions in a branched system and its importance to enhanced nonlinear optical effects useful for modern optical devices.