Determination of Orientation Averages for Partially Aligned low Symmetry Molecules

Abstract

A graphical procedure is presented which allows a determination of the average alignment of the molecular axes in partially oriented, low-symmetry planar molecules from the results of linear dichroism and fluorescence polarization spectroscopy. When applied to benz[a]anthracene, the method makes it possible to extract information on the previously unknown origin of the second excited electronic state.

Key Words:

• transition moment
• polarization spectroscopy
• linear dichroism
• fluorescence polarization
• benz[a]anthracene