Determination of photophysical parameters of cyanines using different techniques. Application to DODCI (3-3' dietiloxacarbocyanine iodide)

A number of fluorescence and absorption techniques were developed for the determination of photo-physical parameters of photo-isomerizable cyanines. The application of these techniques, such as saturated fluorescence, double excitation fluorescence and temperature dependent absorption, to the specific case of 3-3' dietiloxadicarbocyanine iodide (DODCI), allowed the particular study of photo-isomer's exited state along with its decay processes. Fluorescence efficiency and the mean life of the photo-isomer as a function of temperature were obtained. The activation energy and the pre-exponential factor for the non-radioactive decay processes were determined. For the first time, the fluorescence spectrum of the transient isomer form was registered free of the emission of the normal species. (Author). 6 refs., 9 figs