Excitation energy transfer from carotenoids probed by femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy

Fluorescence rise and decay curves of carotenoids were measured in solutions and in pigment protein complexes with a femtosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. For linear carotenoids, the S$_2$ lifetimes showed the maximum value around n = 9-10. The conjugation of a keto-carbonyl group shortened the S$_2$lifetime and prolonged the S$_1$lifetime. The excitation relaxation dynamics within carotenoids and the excitation energy transfer kinetics from carotenoids to chlorophylls are discussed as a function of molecular structure of carotenoids.