A polyene chain of canthaxanthin investigated by temperature-dependent resonance Raman spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations

We report on a temperature-dependent resonance Raman spectral characterization of the polyene chain of canthaxanthin. It is observed that all vibrational intensities of the polyene chain are inversely proportional to temperature, which is analyzed by the resonance Raman effect and the coherent weakly damped electron/lattice vibrations. The increase in intensity of the CC overtone/combination relative to the fundamental with temperature decreasing is detected and discussed in terms of electron/phonon coupling and the activation energy Uop. Moreover, the polyene chain studies using the density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G* level reveal a prominent peak at 1525 cm−1 consisting of two closely spaced modes that are both dominated by C=C stretching coordinates of the polyene chain. (atomic and molecular physics)