Absolute Measurement of Femtosecond Pump-Probe Signal Strength

The absolute femtosecond pump probe signal strength of deprotonated fluorescein in basic methanol is measured. Calculations of the absolute pump probe signal based on the steady-state absorption and emission spectrum that use only independently measured experimental parameters are carried out. The calculation of the pump probe signal strength assumes the pump and probe fields are both weak and includes the following factors: the transverse spatial profile of the laser beams; the pulse spectra; attenuation of the propagating pulses with depth in the sample; the anisotropic transition probability for polarized light; and time-dependent electronic population relaxation. After vibrational and solvent relaxation are complete, the calculation matches the measurement to within 10% error without any adjustable parameters. This demonstrates quantitative measurement of absolute excited state population.