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Imaging techniques, such as Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy (CFM) or Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM) [1, 2] are essential techniques to study complex heterogeneous organic thin films by mapping their optical properties. They are complementary techniques having different advantages and disadvantages [3]. CFM is relatively easy to apply and combines a lateral resolution approaching λ/2 with the possibility of layered imaging in the z-direction. In contrast, NSOM has significantly better spatial resolution and offers simultaneous optical and topographic images. Although confocal microscopy has been mostly used for biological applications, the technique has proven to be useful, for example, in the study of colloids [4,5], polymer blends [6] and liquid crystals [7,8].

Femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy on the hydrated electron was carried out with 35 fs time resolution over a broad probe wavelength and excitation intensity range.

Ultrafast studies on the rates of DNA-mediated forward and reverse electron transfer between photoexcited [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+ and various acceptors are reported. We also present the first results that resolve the ultrafast emission decay of the so-called “light-switch” molecule [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+ in aqueous solution, distinguishing the diverse photophysical mechanisms of [Ru(phen)2dppz]2+.