Abstract

The dynamic properties of the excited states of polyatomic molecules show a considerable sensitivity to intermolecular interactions, both in terms of lifetimes and photoionization thresholds. Using multilaser, threshold photoionization spectroscopy in conjunction with picosecond time-resolved fluorescence emission studies, it has been possible to characterize the fundamental photophysical properties of a range of model biological molecules in a supersonic beam. A number of novel features, such as conformational effects on photoionization thresholds, solvent-induced interstate decoupling, femtosecond radiationless transition rates, and cluster ion stabilization energetics are presented.

© 1986 Optical Society of America