Ultrafast excited singlet state absorption/gain spectroscopy of perylene in solution Original Research Article

Time-resolved absorption and gain spectroscopy of perylene in the lowest excited singlet state S1 in solution is performed in the spectral range 350–1000 nm using subpicosecond excitation at 425 nm. Strong S1Sn absorption at 700 nm (ε = 53000 M−1 cm−1) as well as the full S1S0 stimulated emission cross section spectra are measured. A way to extract, from the sample absorbance variation, the S1 population, and the absolute value of the transition cross sections, is given for the perylene case. Direct evidence of fast vibrational relaxation in about 1 ps is given for the 352 cm−1 mode in the S1 state. It is suggested that this molecule could be a good choice as a reference for the measurement of the excited state absorption cross sections.