Single molecule spectroscopic investigation on various multiporphyrin systems as molecular photonic devices

During the last decade, molecular photonics has been highlighted in the field of materials chemistry, providing the possibility of the construction of photonic devices at individual molecular level. In parallel, well-established single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy enables us to assess the functionality of individual devices in the solid state, as such, to propose a better design for actual utilization. In this Highlight, we discuss our single molecule investigations on the excitation energy transfer processes and the conformational dynamics occurring in various porphyrin arrays with a particular focus on the applicability as photonic materials. For the fabrication of molecular photonic devices in the solid state, the maintenance of structural rigidity is of utmost importance to achieve efficient signal transmission.