Directed energy transfer in Langmuir–Blodgett multilayers with asymmetrical forward and reverse transfer rates and energy migration

Abstract

The transport of electronic excitation energy between chromophores randomly distributed in Langmuir–Blodgett multilayers is described. In theoretical considerations it has been assumed that excitation energy can migrate within each layer and can be transferred forward and reverse between layers with asymmetrical rate constants. The decay profiles of donor fluorescence have been calculated for an arbitrary number of layers. The analysis of donor fluorescence profiles resulting from forward and reverse energy transfer has been presented. It was shown that for a large separation of layers and short time the reverse energy transfer has a negligible influence on donor fluorescence profiles. In the case of layers being infinitely close the reverse energy transfer has a very substantial influence on donor fluorescence profiles.