Photophysical processes of triplet states and radical ions in pure and molecularly doped polymers. Final report

Both the past and current objectives are to learn how to control the rate and direction of triplet exciton migration in both pure and molecularly doped polymer systems. Since triplet excimers are efficient traps for migrating excitons, a secondary objective has been to characterize these excimers with a view toward their use as rate modifiers or excited state quenchers. Further objectives included those stated above as past and current objectives but with an additional goal. The authors learned that fluid solutions of many of the nitrogen containing chromophores with which they work produce both radical cations and anions upon excimer laser excitation. They also learned that a phosphorus analogue behaves similarly. At this time the mechanism of charge generation in these systems is not well established but they do know that the electronically excited states and radical ions can potentially interconvert. They wanted to find out whether or not the pure or molecularly doped polymer systems could be used in a step-wise sequence involving light absorption followed by charge generation. All of their activities are oriented toward the potential end use of polymeric systems in the conversion of light energy to perform various types of useful work