A new fluorescent probe with stimulated emission and multiphoton absorption properties

A newly synthesized donor-acceptor molecule (E)-methyl 2-(4-(dimethylamino) styryl)benzoate (trans-MDMASB) has been investigated in various non-polar and polar solvents. From the analysis of the solvent dependence of the absorption and fluorescence spectra, dipole moment change of approximately 20 D between the ground and excited state have been obtained indicating the charge transfer character of the excited state. The fluorescence spectra are found to be strongly dependent on the solvent polarity. The wavelength-dependent decay curves have been analysed to construct the time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) in a polar (and viscous) solvent. The molecule exhibits multiphoton induced emission on pumping its crystals with the fundamental of the ps Nd: YAG laser. The stimulated emission is observed on pumping its solution with the third harmonic of the laser. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.