Intermolecular correlation functions from Forster energy transfer experiments.

Fluorescence experiments that probe the transfer of electronic excitations between donor and trap chromophores are investigated as a means of studying intermolecular correlations in macromolecules. Expressions for the observables in such experiments are derived and specific applications are discussed. The theory may allow fluorescence experiments to be used to study the correlation hole in polymer melts and in bulk samples, spatial correlations in the dilute-semidilute regime of solutions, the structure of block copolymers, segment distributions away from surfaces or interfaces, and the time evolution of density fluctuations in spinodally decomposing mixtures. A variety of other applications are possible.