Molecular Alignment in the cis to trans Photoisomerization of Stilbene

Abstract

A series of experiments were carried out on the cis to trans isomerisation of stilbene. The lifetime of excited cis-stilbene was measured in a series of n-alkane solvents. The decay times ranged from 1 picosecond in hexane to 1.5 picoseconds in hexadecane. Absorption anisotropy measurements were performed at three probe wavelengths (335, 350, and 650 nm) and in two solvents (hexane and hexadecane). These measurements are used to study the alignment of the transition dipoles as the molecule isomerizes.</jats:p