Implementation of continuous fast scanning detection in femtosecond Fourier-transform two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy to decrease data acquisition time

Femtosecond Fourier transform two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a recently developed third-order nonlinear spectroscopic technique to measure coupled electronic and vibrational motions in the condensed phase. The viability of femtosecond multidimensional spectroscopy as an analytical tool requires improvements in data collection and processing to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and increase the amount of data collected in these experiments. Here a continuous fast scanning technique for the efficient collection of 2D VE spectroscopy is described. The resulting 2D VE spectroscopic method gains sensitivity by reducing the effect of laser drift, as well as decreasing the data collection time by a factor of 10 for acquiring spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio within 3 dB of the more time intensive step scanning methods. This work opens the door to more comprehensive studies where 2D VE spectra can be collected as a function of external parameters such as temperature, pH, and polarization of the input electric fields. Published by AIP Publishing.