Directly profiling the dark-state transition density via scanning tunneling microscope

Abstract

The molecular dark state participates in many important photon-induced processes, yet is typically beyond the optical-spectroscopic measurement due to the forbidden transition dictated by the selection rule. In this work, we propose to use the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) as an incisive tool to directly profile the dark-state transition density of a single molecule, taking advantage of the localized static electronic field near the metal tip. The detection of dark state is achieved by measuring the fluorescence from a higher bright state to the ground state with assistant optical pumping. The current proposal shall bring new methodology to study the single-molecule properties in the electro-optical devices and the light-assisted biological processes.