Optical readout of singlet fission biexcitons with photoluminescence detected magnetic resonance

Abstract: Molecular spin systems based on photoexcited triplet pairs formed via singlet fission (SF) are attractive as carriers of quantum information because of their potentially pure and controllable spin polarization, but developing systems that offer optical routes to readout as well as initialization is challenging. Herein, we characterize the electron spin magnetic resonance change in photoluminescence intensity for a tailored organic molecular crystal while sweeping a microwave drive up to 10 GHz in a broadband loop structure. We observe resonant transitions for both triplet and quintet spin sublevel populations showing their optical sensitivity, and revealing zero-field parameters for each. We map the evolution of these spectra in both microwave frequency and magnetic field, producing a pattern of optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) peaks. Fits to this data using a suitable model suggest significant spin polarization in this system with orientation selectivity. Unusual excitation intensity dependence is also observed, which inverts the sign of the ODMR signal for triplet features, but not for quintet. These observations demonstrate optical detection of the spin sublevel population dictated by SF and intermolecular geometry, and provide unique insight into the dynamics of triplet pairs.