Solvation shell effects and spectral diffusion: Photon echo and optical hole burning experiments on ionic dyes in ethanol glass

Abstract

Results of picosecond photon echo and optical hole burning experiments are reported for four ionic dyes in ethanol glass. At low temperatures, the dephasing times deduced from the hole widths are as much as nine times shorter than those measured by the two-pulse echo because of the effect of spectral diffusion. The temperature dependences found are of the form aTα+b exp (−ΔE/kT) due to glass two level system dynamics (T<4 K) and a process that activates exponentially at higher temperatures, possibly from a pseudolocal mode or glass optical phonon. Comparing the ratios of echo to hole burning measured dephasing times for the four dyes suggests that the dephasing is influenced by the existence of distinct local ethanol solvation shells in addition to the dynamics of the bulk solvent. A theoretical description of solvent shell effects is achieved through the use of a two spatial domain model of the glass dynamics. Calculations of dynamic perturbations from distinct solvation shell and bulk solvent regions show that the observed differences between the dyes’ dephasing ratios can be explained if the ionic chromophores alter glass dynamics locally.